The Good Food Box provides an opportunity for U of T students to access healthy, locally grown produce on campus at low prices. The bi-weekly program provides produce boxes, available for pick up at the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) office on alternating Wednesdays at 2 pm, with both orders and payment due by midnight the Monday before. Boxes vary in price from $13–$34 and with multiple options based on distribution of fruits and vegetables, as well as size. The contents of the boxes vary seasonally in an effort to include fresh and local produce. UTSU vice-president, internal & services Cameron Wathey, who sat down with the The Varsity to explain the program, reminded students to bring bags to carry their purchases home as the actual boxes are reused by the program.
The boxes are distributed by FoodShare — a non-profit organization dedicated to making fresh, healthy food accessible to all. U of T has become a FoodShare hub by significantly exceeding the requirement of five boxes per week. Today the UTSU averages anywhere between 25–30 boxes per bi-weekly period — and Wathey hopes the numbers will continue to rise. Ryerson and York have also partnered with FoodShare, distributing Good Food Boxes to students on
their campuses.
All students on campus are eligible to order; however Wathey particularly encourages off-campus students and commuters to take part in the program as it offers an alternative to expensive and time consuming grocery shopping. This year the project will be expanded into both Woodsworth College and the Transitional Year Program. Interested students can place their orders for the September 25 pick-up either online or at the UTSU’s office in Hart House Circle by September 16.
