Meal kits deliver relief as students feel the pinch of rising costs

A thoughtful initiative by the Lincoln University Students’ Association (LUSA) recently gave students the opportunity to receive meal kits in acknowledgement of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and rising fuel prices.

“This year is particularly tough for students,” says LUSA President Zara Weissenstein. “So, we put our heads together to find a targeted way of helping students mitigate the pressures external factors place on them while they’re studying.”

The meal kits were funded through LUSA’s financial assistance fund, in association with New World Lincoln. The team felt the initiative ticked many boxes—supporting student wellbeing while offering social and learning benefits, as LUSA General Manager Jo Carter explains.

“We felt the social aspect of cooking a meal for flatmates or family was hugely valuable as sitting down for dinner creates a sense of community. There’s also the chance to learn new recipes, with each kit including one to keep. We’re always mindful of how we can use our limited funds to deliver the best all-round outcomes for students.”

The initiative was held on campus over a week, giving students plenty of time to collect one of the 400 meal kits given away.

There was no doubt in the students’ eyes; the meal kits were a unanimous success.

“The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive, with some students even sharing their own social media posts expressing their gratitude,” says Jo. “The timing was ideal too, coming during a busy time of semester one, with assignments due and exams around the corner.

“Students also appreciated the simplicity of the meal kits, with both the recipe and ingredients included, and valued the support during a difficult time.”

Funding remains the biggest barrier to expanding this type of assistance.

“We’d love to deliver more initiatives like this in the future, but we’re limited by our budget. That’s why we are always keen to hear from people or organisations willing to lend a hand,” says Zara. “We also want students to know we’re here for everyone—whether they’re domestic, international, studying online or on-campus.

“The reality is that many students are living below the poverty line and are constantly making difficult decisions about how to spend what little money they have. Do they choose food, fuel or medications this week? Do they attend lectures on campus or take an extra shift at work? There are challenges many people may not fully realise.”

Following the success of the meal kit initiative, anyone in the Selwyn community interested in sponsoring an initiative, making a donation to LUSA, or sharing ideas to support Lincoln University students is encouraged to contact Jo Carter at manager@lusa.org.nz.

The LUSA team acknowledges and sincerely thanks New World Lincoln for their support in bringing this initiative to students on campus, including accommodating dietary needs and providing staff to assist with meal distribution.

Image caption: From left, Lincoln University student Zhen Liu is with LUSA President Zara Weissenstein. 

Additionally, our new State of the Land Frontline forum brought together industry, research, and student voices to discuss food security in Aotearoa New Zealand. The conversation explored the impacts of recent plant closure proposals and the growing call for a national strategy, highlighting risks, opportunities, and actions needed for a resilient food system.

Watch the recording to catch up HERE