The packages offered consist of non-perishable and easy-to-prepare food items, including canned goods, pasta, rice and snacks. They may also include essential items such as cooking oil, salt, baby food and sugar.
At its Mandela Student Centre, the university is operating the scheme called Campus Pantry in an attempt to remove some of the stigma attached to using a food bank. Here students in need of ‘supplemental food’ are provided with short-term support.
At its Medway campus the university offers an emergency food package of five items through The Hub. Students are simply asked to complete online form.
Other actions by the university to help students through the cost-of-living crisis include £3 Meal Deals at the Rutherford Dining Hall, Canterbury and The Deep End at The Hub and Venue Cafe in Pilkington on the Medway campus. The deal includes a main course with a selection of vegetables, side dishes and salad.
The Kent Union is running a Brunch Club that offers free food from the Canvas food truck, while in Medway student unions are running free ‘community breakfasts’ on certain days. Students can help themselves to porridge, cereal bars and tea or coffee for breakfast in the Oasis Lounge, Rochester Building.
The university is also flagging up the locations of microwaves and hot water points where food can be heated.
A spokesperson said: “The goal of emergency food packages is to provide you with basic sustenance and nutrition during a time of need.”
To get the packages students are being asked to fill out an online form with their student ID, which university they attend, and any dietary restrictions, including vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher and gluten-free, as well as what time and where they can pick up the package.
The University of Kent has joined The Food Foundation in launching the Right to Food University scheme, which aims to provide people with the ‘basic human right’ of food.
Canterbury Christ Church University and Greenwich University are also part of the project.
Professor Karen Cox, vice-chancellor and president at the university, added: “The ‘Right to Food’ scheme goes to the very heart of what we believe a university is here to do.
“We want to use our strengths in research and innovation, the passion and commitment of our students and staff, and our deep links with our communities and our region to drive and inspire positive change. We are proud to be a Right to Food University and, in developing our approach and learning as we do so, to share that learning with others.”