Food Resources
In collaboration with the Students’ Union of Vancouver Community College (SUVCC) and the VCC College Foundation, Vancouver Community College (VCC) is committed to supporting student access to healthy food choices and essential resources that promote food security. Our efforts focus on developing sustainable food support programs by raising awareness of available food resources and building partnerships within the community. Aligned with VCC’s Well-being Framework, we strive to support students’ physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Both Broadway Quizine and the Downtown campus cafeterias are run by VCC Culinary Arts students in training. Check out the Asian Culinary counter, The Bistro or JJ’s Restaurant for other food options at the Downtown campus.
You can also find baked goods and pastries made by VCC Baking students at Seiffert’s Market + Bakeshop, located at our Downtown campus. Seifferts Market + Bakeshop is now proud to offer ready-to-heat meals from Barakah Eats in our freezer section. If you miss the lunch hours at the cafeteria, we’ve got you covered with frozen options including Chicken Tikka, Butter Chicken, and Veggie Biryani.
Indigenous students who need support with food security can visit the VCC Indigenous Gathering Spaces at both campuses where you can find nutritious food supplies in the pantry.
- Water refill stations are located throughout both VCC campuses
- Microwaves are available to reheat meals
- Grocery Cards, Lunch Cards, and Bursaries are available through VCC’s Financial Aid office.
- Well-being support is available through our Counselling Department
Self-Care
Your emotional, physical and mental health contributes to your academic success. Good overall wellness helps you stay motivated, focus, learn better, and recover more quickly from set-backs.
Self-care is about maintaining or improving one’s health and wellness, and is especially important during busy and stressful times. Here are some strategies from VCC counsellors:
- Schedule in daily self-care time, then do it!
- Nourish your body by eating healthy meals and snacks at regular intervals. Discover available options to reduce or eliminate food insecurity.
- Exercise every day, preferably outdoors. Even a short walk around the block will refresh your body and mind.
- Schedule social time with your friends and family or spend time with a pet. Talk about things other than work and studies, play a game, share a drink or a meal, exercise, and laugh together.
- Pay attention to your sleep quality. Good sleep is essential for memory formation and the ability to focus and engage with new concepts. Try this 2-minute progressive relaxation for sleep video.
- Practice mindfulness and live in the moment. One mindfulness practice is a daily gratitude list. Write down or share with a friend 5 things you are grateful for.
- Reach out for help. VCC counsellors are here for you, to listen and support you with academic concerns, career questions, personal and relationship matters and crisis that may arise while you are a student.
- Progressive relaxation video (15 min).
- Self-Care Plan: Use this template from Peak Resilience therapy to create a self-care plan.
- Mindshift: Download this free app that uses scientifically proven strategies (based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)) to manage anxiety and worry.
- Tips for Managing Stress and Anxiety: VCC counsellors’ top 10 tips for managing stress and anxiety related to COVID-19
- Daily Mindfulness Questions: Use these 5 questions as a daily practice of self-care
- Mindful Meditations: A series of free, guided audio meditations by UCLA’s Mindfulness Awareness Research Centre
Introducing Togetherall – a free online community of peer support
Imagine a safe, anonymous online community where you can connect with peers around the clock. Whether you need advice, comfort, or just someone to talk to. Togetherall is here for you – completely FREE for VCC students!
Consider joining today!