Mayor Brandon Johnson, City Colleges And Greater Chicago Food Depository Collaborate To Launch “Food Security For Life,” An Initiative That Aims To End Hunger Among City Colleges Students
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CHICAGO —  Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson joined City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), the Greater Chicago Food Depository, and Governor JB Pritzker for the launch of "Food Security for Life," a groundbreaking, multi-layered initiative that works to ensure every student at City Colleges has sufficient food while they focus on their education at City Colleges, one that leads them to a sustainable wage and good career that offers food security for life.

"Food security is about more than meals. It's about dignity, stability, and the ability to fully participate in life and learning. Research consistently tells us that food-insecure students are more likely to miss class, perform poorly, or drop out altogether. By ensuring access to nutritious food, City Colleges is making an essential investment in student retention, academic achievement, and long-term community health," said Mayor Brandon Johnson.

The announcement took place on Tuesday, September 30 in the Great Hall of Kennedy-King College.

A 2024 survey of City Colleges student basic needs found that 50% identified as food insecure. The two organizations that had partnered to open healthy markets at all colleges recognized a need to do more. The expanding partnership reflects City Colleges' and the Food Depository's commitment to meeting students' basic needs and providing comprehensive student supports. For many students, especially those balancing school, work, and family responsibilities, access to a no cost reliable food source is critical to staying on track toward a degree or credential, and ultimately a family-sustaining career.

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To combat food insecurity and ensure students can focus on their education, City Colleges of Chicago and the Greater Chicago Food Depository are launching Food Security for Life. The initiative will include: dynamic on-campus markets stocked with groceries for students, nutritionally balanced frozen meals to go for students and their families, snack items at various locations around campus, improved connection to public benefits, and student apprenticeships. Food Security for Life works to ensure that every student can focus on their academic and personal success without worrying about where their next meal is coming from or how to afford it.

"I'm proud to launch the Food Security for Life program, an effort that harnesses the power of the entire community and gives our students and their families access to the food they need to thrive," said Governor JB Pritzker. "As the Trump administration guts the SNAP program and tariffs drive up grocery costs for working families, it's more important than ever to take steps to end food insecurity and help every Illinoisan get the nourishment they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives."

"Right now, there are students at City Colleges with the potential to be future leaders of Chicago and Illinois," said Kate Maehr, executive director and CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. "We have a responsibility to make sure food insecurity never stands between a student and the successful future they are working so hard to reach. By partnering with City Colleges of Chicago, we are meeting students where they are, providing amazing food and pathways to a lifetime free from hunger."

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"Our students come to City Colleges with big dreams, and being hungry should never stand in the way of their education," said Chancellor Juan Salgado, City Colleges of Chicago. "Food Security for Life is about supporting the whole student. By removing barriers like this, we are helping our students stay enrolled and focused on their education. This program will build brighter futures for our students, their families and for all of Chicago."

Thanks to the generosity of donors, all of the food and services in the Food Security for Life program will be offered at no cost to City Colleges students. Knight Impact Partners provided a lead contribution to support the rollout of the partnership over the next five years.

"This is a dynamic partnership between City Colleges and Greater Chicago Food Depository," said Rebecca Knight, Executive Board Chair of Knight Impact Partners. "By aligning strategy and resources they are eliminating the obstacles and fueling student advancement and economic stability. Where barriers end, opportunity begins."

Key features of the Food Security for Life program build upon the existing food access points for students available at each college and include:
  • Dynamic Food Markets: Enhanced food pantries will offer expanded hours, groceries and take-home meals to serve student households; the first expanded market opens in January 2026 at Kennedy-King College
  • Snacks to Go: Launching this fall at all seven colleges and open to any student, free snacks to fuel bodies and minds on campus
  • Meals to Go: Take home meals starting at three colleges this fall (Malcolm X College, Kennedy-King College and Olive-Harvey College); with plans to grow to all seven colleges
  • Expanded service to connect students with public benefits including SNAP, WIC and Medicaid
  • Living wage apprenticeships for City Colleges students at Greater Chicago Food Depository
  • For more information, including market hours or how to receive public benefits assistance students should visit their Wellness Center and see posted hours for service.

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