Proposal for Food Services at Humber College

Date:                November 17th, 2016

To:                Humber Administration

Fr:                JINS Team

Subject        :        Proposal for Food Services at Humber College

At Humber College many students often complain about the affordability, nutrition and the lack of diverse food options offered by Humber Food Services. Most importantly food services should provide access to a variety of nutritious foods and an affordable cost that promote students’ health and their capacity to attend to academic tasks. In addition, Humber host students of various backgrounds and ethnicity and the lack of diverse food option will lead to food insecurity and hunger among students. This proposal however, seeks to highlight the urgency for the expansion of Humber Food Services as it relates to affordability, nutrition and diverse food options. This proposal will provide you with an extended overview of Humber Food Services; issues and/or problems surrounding the service, and proposed solutions.

Background in Food Services

Humber food services caters, prepares and offer meal plans to students on campus and in the surrounding community. Students can choose from several food service location on campus namely: Dine on Campus, Gourmet Express, Humber Food Truck and The Humber Room; all of which offers special meal plans that comes with discounted prices and are designed to meet the needs of students. Although Humber Food Services is deemed as reliable, the lack of diversity, nutrition and affordability are often the students’ cry.

Even though Humber offer food at discounted prices most students still find it rather difficult to purchase a meal plan. School fee and books are already costly and students living on campus are also paying expensive rents, therefore food should be an affordable commodity.  

Proper nutrition and diet is often overlooked and underappreciated but it is the key to success in college and our studies. Humber College hosts multiple ways to dine however, they lack emphasis on healthy choices. Affordability and nutrition come hand in hand as the limited access to nutritional and/or poor variety of foods at a high cost makes it relatively easy for students to eat unhealthy.

Problems in Food Services

Nutrition

Almost everything eaten is broken down into glucose by our body. Glucose gives us energy which in turn helps us to be focused and alert. If there is little or no glucose in our body it will result in us having a lack of concentration and feeling lethargic. Poor eating habit and poor nutrition can affect one’s behaviour, health and thinking skills which can further affect learning. Poor nutrition can lead to illnesses such as headaches and stomach-aches which can result in absenteeism. “When students are regularly eating unhealthy food, their performance in class suffers. With a lack of proper nutrients, students become lethargic, depressed and develop low immunity, therefore contributing to a lack of performance in their studies.” (CFS, 2013, p5). “Nutrition doesn’t only affect your mood and energy levels. It also impacts your creativity. Knowing this might be especially helpful if you work or study in a creative environment, where you are constantly expected to tap into this energy.” Poor dietary habits can lead to: