Food Security Program

Please Review the Food Security Policy below.

Native Students Union 


UVIC NSU FOOD SECURITY PROGRAM

Spring 2024

INTENTION

The intention of this program is to reduce financial barriers to food security for Indigenous students at UVic. This program began due the historical and ongoing financial barriers Indigenous students face when attending post-secondary education. Food security is one of many issues that Indigenous students at UVic face, and this is supported by concerns of the NSU council and inquiries with the student body.


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 20 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 provided by the NSU from Fresh Prep by completing the NSU Fresh Prep Survey. 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 9, 2024 and will be open for three weeks or until funds are exhausted. Registration must be completed by Friday, March 1, 2024 however, if funds are exhausted prior to the closing date registration will be closed. 

If there are remaining funds after the March 1, 2024 deadline, then NSU council members are eligible to register until Friday, March 15, 2024 . 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:

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 coordinator by the following dates; 

Registration will begin on Friday, February 9, 2024 and will be open until funds are exhausted. Registration must be completed by Friday, March 1, 2024 however, if funds are exhausted prior to the closing date registration will be closed. Students must submit documentation to the NSU Coordinator by April 26, 2024. 




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 April 26, 2024 you will not be eligible for this terms program. 


REGISTRATION

To register, please visit our website at https://www.uvicnsu.ca/home and find our Food Security Program application under our “Programs” page. There, you will apply through our website. Our online application requires the following information from each applicant:

●       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 Spring 2024 is Friday, March 1, 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 March 1, 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 April 26, 2024 Late submissions will not be accepted. 


Students participating in Option 2 are required to sign up by March 1, 2024 and will be required to provide documentation of receiving another food delivery program by April 26, 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, Red Cedar Cafe, Google Sheets).


The NSU staff and Executive Council members will review and respond to enrollment for this program within 10 business days of receiving student application.


The cutoff date for enrollment for the Fresh Prep program is Friday March 1, 2024. Your Fresh Prep account must be created by April 26, 2024, to receive your gift card.


The cutoff date for registration for Option 2 is Students will be Friday March 1, 2024 and required documentation will need to be submitted by April 26, 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 March 15, 2024.  



Click on the Fresh Prep Form 

Click on the OTher food delivery Form