“Student poverty rates are skyrocketing” - important updates on the UTSSA’s free food services during semester 2

In a statement released to their instagram on the 19th of August 2024, the UTS Students’ Association (UTSSA) warned their followers that their free breakfast and dinner services would not be running during weeks 4 and 10 of semester 2 [26th-30th August, and the 14th-20th October]. 

In their statement, the UTSSA (who run via the tag @uts_students_association on Instagram) stated that as a result of this, they will “miss out on serving approximately 2000 meals to students.”

For those who aren’t aware, the free food services run by the UTSSA are Blue Bird Brekkie and Night Owl Noodles which operate out of the Lobby of Building 1, and the Bluebird Pantry which is set up on level 3 of Building 2. 

Blue Bird Brekkie serves fresh fruit, sourdough toast with a range of spreads (including avocado), and coffee and tea. It runs on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8-10am.

Night Owl Noodles serves a range of soups (including vegan and vegetarian options) with noodles, and gives you the option to add a wide array of toppings such as spring onions, crispy shallots and fresh vegetables. It runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-7pm. 

Bluebird pantry is offering free kitchen staples to students. It offers a range of seasonal vegetables and fruit and provides other essentials such as canned and packaged goods. It runs on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12-2pm. 

The UTSSA estimates that between Blue Bird Brekkie and Night Owl noodles, approximately 1,000 students are given free meals each week. 

The impact of such a service should not be lost on UTS students, UTS staff and UTS stakeholders. In 2023, Sydney was deemed the 16th most expensive city in the world. The effects of the current cost-of-living crisis is felt most acutely by students, who are often forced to manage the stress of their studies alongside work and other commitments. In addition to this, they must also navigate unprecedented rent prices, escalating food costs and other external pressures such as long journeys to get to university or extra-curricular activities they undertake to abet them when entering into a competitive workforce.

I do not think it is dramatic to conclude, that having a regular food service where students can receive nutritious meals and goods to stock their pantry with, could be the difference between them making it through a degree, or not.

On a poll run via Vertigo’s instagram (@utsvertigo), we asked students about the cost-of-living crisis, and how helpful they felt UTS’ free food services were. The results were as follows:

• 104 out of 105 respondents claimed that the cost-of-living crisis in Sydney had impacted what foods they were able to buy, and how often they were able to buy them. 

• 61% of students claimed they used the UTSSA’s food services 1-2 times per month, 20% used them 3-5 times per month and 12% used the services 10+ times per month. 

• 96% of respondents selected that they felt the services were either ‘vital’ or ‘significantly’ important to their university experience. 

In conversation with Vertigo, UTS student Amaan Shaikh admits that transitioning from living at home and eating meals with his family every night, to living as an international student in Sydney, has had a significant impact on his eating habits. He told Vertigo, that it was not just the affordability of the food services that helped him transition into living in a new country, but also the social aspect. 

“I initially used to even skip meals solely because it felt a bit weird to make food JUST for myself. [Due to Night Owl Noodles] Not only was I able to get delicious, ready-made food, I was also able to make a TON of friends while standing in line for the noodles... It's been one of the highlights of my week,” said Amaan.

Amaan’s statement makes the news that Blue Bird Brekkie and Night Owl Noodles will not be able to run during weeks 4 and 10, all the more devastating. The reason they are not able to run, is due to events being scheduled in the Building 1 Lobby where they operate out of.

In their statement, the UTSSA emphasised their concern about this:

“The university has suggested relocating our food services to the Blue Bird pantry on Level 3 of Building 2, but this space isn’t anywhere near large enough… Apart from the impracticality of this suggestion, we also disapprove of the suggestion to move the services to the Pantry because ‘it is a student-focused space, whereas the Lobby/Exhibition Space tends to be more staff/public focused’.” 

They continued that:

“During a cost-of-living crisis where student poverty rates are skyrocketing we are not sorry that our food services are such an eyesore or inconvenience to the university… We need an appropriate, permanent space for Bluebird Brekkie and Night Owl Noodles, so that we can continue to serve students.” 

In order to emphasise the importance of the UTSSA’s food services to UTS students, we asked students for comments on what these services mean to them. The responses were as follows:

“Because of Night Owl, I'm able to have 1 or 2 meals in a week right before my class, which I believe helps me pay attention in class and makes me feel happy!”

“[The services have] such helpful options for healthy/cheap food. I load up on the veggies in the Night Owl Noodles.”

“[The services are] Literally essential!”

“Night Owl Noodles are great for the taste and quality, and the way they are managed. The volunteers are lovely too.” 

“[The services are] very inclusive of dietary requirements and of course very healthy.” 

“I know that it is some of my peers' only meals.” 

Neeve Ann Nagle, the General Councillor of the UTSSA told Vertigo, that as the services had been run out of the Building 1 Lobby for a while now:

“[I]t’s largely become synonymous with the services we offer. It’s also a central travelling space for students throughout the university that we’re incredibly visible within, something the UTSSA should always strive for. Being asked to move into a different area that cannot accommodate the number of students utilising these services is frustrating. Any student who doesn’t follow us on social media or hasn’t seen our statement may not be aware that we can’t run those services in weeks 4 and 10, and it’s challenging knowing those students may not be able to access a meal they need those weeks.”

Neeve continued that:

“Students should feel supported by UTS in ways that are not just academic but also financial and equitable. UTSSA invests a large portion of our budget to these services to be able to support UTS students in whatever way they need at any given time. In the cost-of-living crisis we’re currently experiencing, right now, above all, students need financial relief.”

Please be advised that while Blue Bird Brekkie and Night Owl Noodles will not run in weeks 4 and 10, Bluebird Pantry will continue to run as normal for the remainder of the semester.

To stay in the loop with information on the UTSSA’s food services, follow their instagram @uts_students_association for more regular updates.