Food Security Program

FreshPrep Program

This program aims to support students off-campus through the usage of FreshPrep gift cards that need accessibility to healthy foods. 

Eligibility 

This program is only applicable to members of the NSU. This includes students at UVic who:

a) identify as Indigenous, and

b) are members in good standing of either the UVSS or the GSS.

This does not include UVSS-Staff members of the NSU if they are a UVic student. Please note there are two options for participating in this food program, and any eligible individual may only apply for one option per semester. Find details below for application deadlines and specifications. NSU Council members are eligible for this program but only if funds are not exhausted by the initial deadline. 

SCOPE

This program offers two options up to a maximum funding capacity of 10 students. 

1.   Option 1 – Fresh Prep Gift Card 

Provides a one-time  Fresh Prep Gift Card of $200.00 to UVic NSU members.

This is a one-time gift card (per semester) provided by the NSU from Fresh Prep by completing the registration form . Students will be required to create a Fresh Prep account by using a link provided to them by the NSU coordinator. Students will select their own meals provided by Fresh Prep guidelines. Registration will begin on Friday, February 21st 2025 @ 4:00 PM and will be open for two weeks or until funds are exhausted. Registration must be completed by Friday, March 7th, 2025. However, if funds are exhausted prior to the closing date registration will be closed. 

If there are remaining funds after the deadline, then NSU council members are eligible to register until Friday, March 7, 2025. NSU Council members are not eligible to apply until the first deadline has passed. To collect your Fresh Prep gift card, you will need to provide the coordinator with your email, or if you require an alternative method of delivery please contact the coordinator at nsu@uvss.ca.

Limitations

There are two requirements for receiving your one-time Fresh Prep gift card:

1. The Office Coordinator will provide your gift card via/ email with the email address you signed up with. 

2. In order to receive your gift card you will be required to create your Fresh Prep account using the link provided (if you do not already have an account) to you by the NSU coordinator by Friday, March 7, 2025. If you fail to do so, we will utilize the gift cards for the next term. 

2.   Option 2 – Out of Delivery Area - Meal delivery Service

For students outside of the Fresh Prep West Coast jurisdiction (British Columbia and Alberta), or for those with a disability or food restriction that makes the Fresh Prep option inaccessible for them. 

Provides a one-time reimbursement cheque up to $200.00 to UVic NSU members. This is a cheque requisition provided by the NSU by completing the NSU Option 2 Survey. This program only qualifies to students not eligible for Option 1 and are required to have all documentation submitted to the Office Coordinator by the following dates; 

Registration will begin on  Friday, October 11, 2024 by 5PM and will be open until funds are exhausted. Registration must be completed by Friday, October 25th, 2024 however, if funds are exhausted prior to the closing date registration will be closed. 

Students must submit documentation to the Office Coordinator by Friday, October 25th, 2024 by 11:59 PM

Limitations

Will need to provide the coordinator with proof of address and receipts of another food delivery program and complete a cheque requisition form. If you fail to submit required documentation by Friday, October 25th, 2024 you will not be eligible for this terms program. 

REGISTRATION

To register, please visit complete the Food Security Program: Summer Registration form. 

You will be required to provide:

●       A Verification of Enrollment (this can be found online  at – Online tools → Student services → Tools & forms → Online Request Forms →  Verification of Enrollment)

●   Note: if you cannot generate a Verification of Enrollment please liaise with the NSU Coordinator at nsu@uvss.ca to discuss alternate options.

●       Name

●       Student number

●       Current living address

●       Phone number

Cutoff date for registration to the program for the UVSS Native Student Union Food Security for Summer 2024 is Friday, October 25th, 2024 or until funds are exhausted, at which time the registration form will be closed. 

PROCESS

Once registered for the program, students will be able to receive their Fresh Prep gift card via email once they complete their Fresh Prep account with the link provided to you from the coordinator. 

Students not receiving the Fresh Prep gift card will follow the procedure for providing documentation for an alternative food delivery program. 

In the case the food security program is financially exhausted, we will serve them on a first come, first serve basis. Please note that NSU Council members can only apply to either option after the Friday, October 25th, 2024 deadline has passed, and only if there are funds remaining in this program.

TIMELINE

Students participating in the Fresh Prep gift card Program must create their account by Friday, October 25th, 2024. Late submissions will not be accepted. 

Students participating in Option 2 are required to sign up by Friday, October 25th, 2024 and will be required to provide documentation of receiving another food delivery program by  Friday, October 25th, 2024.

Students are required to sign up for the program each semester.  

ACCOUNTABILITY

The NSU Coordinator in combination with the NSU Council will keep track of the student participation in the program for administration and accounting purposes, and to prevent misuse.

EXPECTATIONS OF THE APPLICANT

The applicant must review the current policy on the NSU website at the beginning of each semester to understand any changes to the program or enrollment procedures. Each application is only valid for 1 semester. You must reapply each semester.

To update your status, or if you no longer need these services, please email nsu@uvss.ca.

To apply, visit our website and find our Food Security Program application under our “Programs” page. There, you will apply through our website for this program and choose either Option 1 or Option 2.

INTERNAL PROCESS

Confidentiality CANNOT be maintained as personal information will be shared between organizations involved in coordinating these programs (UVSS, NSU, Fresh Prep, Google Sheets).

The NSU staff and Executive Council members will review and respond to enrollment for this program within 14 business days of receiving student application.

The cutoff date for enrollment for the Fresh Prep program is Friday, October 25th, 2024. Your Fresh Prep account must be created byFriday, October 25th, 2024, to receive your gift card.

The cutoff date for registration for Option 2 is Students will be, Friday, October 25th, 2024and required documentation will need to be submitted byFriday, October 25th, 2024 to receive your cheque requisition form. 

If funds are not exhausted after the registration cutoff date NSU council members will be eligible to register until Friday, October 25th, 2024.