Food relief

New collection location from 5 June!

From Monday 5 June, you can pick up your meals and food boxes from our new location at 1888 Courtyard, Parkville.

  • The 1888 Courtyard is just off Swanston Street, behind the Stop 1 building
  • Enter via Gate 6 and look for our signage and friendly faces
  • Remember to register first so we can have your items ready for collection.

    Map of new location

The University is now offering food relief to students experiencing food insecurity. The four programs are:

  • Program 1 – Secondbite Frozen Meals (Parkville Campus)
  • Program 2 – Secondbite Frozen Meals (Southbank Campus) Fine Arts Music students only
  • Program 3 – Fresh Food Project (Parkville Campus)

Register here

About our programs

  • SecondBite frozen meals

    SecondBite is a local not-for-profit organisation, that provide healthy frozen meals to students. The frozen meals supplied by SecondBite come in 1kg or 250g packs. Meals are prepared based on the ingredients available to SecondBite and there is no set menu or option to order specific meals.

  • Fresh Food Project

    The One Box is a local Melbourne based business that supplies Fresh Fruit and Vegetables for students. The Fresh Food Project contains 5kg of high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables. The produce selection is locally sourced from Australian producers and is enough to last a week.

How does it work?

Step 1: Register your eligibility application and select which programs you are in need of.

Step 2:
You will receive a confirmation email to your student email account once you have been allocated. This email will have all the information you need to know about your pickup such as when it is, where it is and what to bring (eg student ID, a bag etc).

Step 3:
Arrive at the pick-up location on your allocated day as stated in your confirmation email. Please bring your student ID with you.  

Step 4:
Follow the instructions from the volunteers at the pick-up location. They will scan your student ID card.  

Step 5:
You will then be able to collect your Frozen Meal or Fresh Boxes.  

Step 6:
Enjoy your food!

Frequently asked questions

  • Do I need to be a current student to register my interest for food relief?

    Yes, only current University of Melbourne Students are eligible to receive meals or packs.

  • If I need weekly support, do I need to register my interest each week or do I only register my interest once?

    You only need to register once. The registration system is done on a subscription basis and depending on availability and capacity limits you will be allocated and receive allocations via email.

    If you need to opt out of the program or your circumstances change, please contact the food relief team on food-relief@unimelb.edu.au

  • How will I know when and where to pick up my food?

    You will receive a confirmation email that will explain the time, day and location to collect your food. It will also highlight what items you need to bring along with you (e.g. Student ID Card, a bag etc.)

  • I have dietary requirements. Can these be catered for?

    Unfortunately, due to the meals and packs being prepared based on ingredients available, we are unable to arrange orders to meet dietary requirements. We do, however, try and have a range of options available for most.

  • Is there a maximum number of supplies I can take?

    Yes, as part of your confirmation email you will be advised of the maximum number available per person.

  • How do I know what supplies I will be getting?

    You won’t know this until you arrive at the pick-up location. Meals and boxes change weekly and are dependent on what ingredients or produce is available at the time. There are no set options that can be ordered.

  • How long will the relief service run?

    The University of Melbourne’s food relief service is scheduled to run from 27 February to 21 December 2023.

Other programs

UMSU International Welfare’s Free Breakfast!

UMSU International is providing free breakfast to all students every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9-11am throughout semester.

More about UMSU's free breakfast

Journeys Café by the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC)

Located in the Student Pavilion (Level 4), Journeys Café offers fresh, healthy food at affordable prices. Most meals are vegetarian (except for some of the toasties) and there's gluten-free and vegan options.

More about Journeys Cafe

Science Gallery Uncommon Room

A safe, accessible place on campus you can relax, connect with like-minded people, charge your devices and enjoy some cheap eats. During semester, the Uncommon room has free fruit, $1 coffee and $2 toasties.

More about the Uncommon Room

Contact us

Food Relief Team
Food-relief@unimelb.edu.au