Released on = June 6, 2006, 2:14 pm

Press Release Author = Amanda Ono

Industry = Non Profit

Press Release Summary = The Student Food Network launches to support the increasing
number of campus food banks on Canadian universities and colleges.

Press Release Body = (Toronto, ON) Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - Food banks are popping up
on campuses across the country.Growing food bank use among students is a grim
reminder that tuition hikes and mounting economic pressures are weighing heavily on
Canadian students.

This dim reality is met by the passion of students to create real social change in
the communities where they live and learn. The Student Food Network (SFN) was
founded by students for students to address the growing need to connect campus food
centres to each other and a network of resources. This youth-led initiative connects
campus food bank coordinators across the country in a common mission of eradicating
student hunger by understanding the issues of student financial, physical and
emotional health surrounding inaccessibility to adequate nutrition. Through student
coordination and peer aid, the SFN will offer long-term support and education to
both the student population and general public.

Mara Kardas-Nelson, a 20 year-old International Relations student from the
University of British Columbia and active community leader is continuing the
development of this initiative and says, "The Student Food Network is important in
its role to both connect campus food banks across Canada and help aid students who
are dealing with hunger. I believe that student hunger has to be fought through
student mobilization, and the SFN is a perfect tool to do this. I've been a long
time believer in peer education, particularly with AIDS activism and health
education, and am excited to use the same tools in the fight against student food
security. The SFN provides the opportunity for all students, from all walks of
life, to join together to ensure that the public is aware of issues of student
hunger and that these issues are met with action and support."

Over 100 student leaders and community supporters gathered on Tuesday, June 6th in
Toronto to launch this innovative student-initiative. Attending the launch, Melissa
Melo, a 23 year-old recent graduate from the University of Guelph-Humber says, "The
Student Food Network is a brilliant way to increase the ability of campus food banks
to serve students. It will also act as a key resource for students to start thinking
about why food banks must exist on our campuses at all."

For additional information on the Student Food Network go to: www.studentfood.ca


Web Site = http://www.studentfood.ca

Contact Details = Amanda Ono
365-401 Richmond Street West
Toronto, ON
M5V 3A8
416-657-4489 ext. 3
hungryforchange@studentfood.ca