The Alternative Campus Food System at Dalhousie University: Exploring the experience of participants in student-led food initiatives on Studley campus

Abstract

Dalhousie University has a unique campus food system. Dalhousie students have organized the Dalhousie Student Union (DSU) Farmer’s Market Collective, Dalhousie Urban Garden Society (DUGS) and the Loaded Ladle. The dominant food “system” at university campuses consist largely of corporate for-profit entities; however, the above mentioned student-run food initiatives are providing an alternative (Bartlett, 2011). The purpose of this exploration is to analyze their experiences and whether they feel empowered by their participation in the student-led initiatives. I interviewed a total of six people (two people from each student-run food initiative: DSU Farmer’s Market Collective, DUGS and the Loaded Ladle). This study provides the perspective of participants in student-led food initiatives at Dalhousie University, but additional research must be conducted to examine other aspects of capacity, by gaining more support for the alternative campus food system.