Working together for student well-being
The NSH Programme, launched in 2011, was designed to support academically deserving students who do not qualify for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) or other bursaries with food bursaries. These students often face financial hardships that affect their ability to access healthy meals, which has an impact on their academic performance and well-being. The programme provides either a daily meal at the dining hall or a monthly food parcel, which includes fresh vegetables harvested from university food gardens on the Bloemfontein Campus and the Paradys Experimental Farm, established in collaboration with Kovsie Act and the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development (Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences).
Starting with just 50 students, the NSH Programme has grown to 110 students. Additionally, since the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 400 students receive food parcels on the Bloemfontein Campus each month, along with 200 on the Qwaqwa Campus and 100 on the South Campus. Looking forward, Visagie and the UFS team aim to continue expanding the programme’s reach, ultimately eradicating food insecurity on campus to ease students’ academic journey.
The NSH Programme wouldn’t be possible without the collective efforts of several key players across campus. Besides the work of the Department of Sustainable Food Systems, the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics in the Faculty of Health Sciences contributes to the health and nutrition education of students. Through the Eat&Succeed programme, senior students, under academic supervision, provide practical advice on budgeting, procuring, and preparing healthy meals on a student budget. These interventions are tailored to address the needs identified in the university’s food security surveys, ensuring that students receive relevant and useful support.
The Department of Nutrition and Dietetics also provided their expertise in the Food Environment Office’s campaign to raise awareness about maintaining a healthy diet. Besides fun facts, budgeting tips, and recipes on social media and the student newsletter, six videos and podcasts, as well as a recipe book were developed in 2024 and shared to educate students on healthy food choices.
The impact of food insecurity at the UFS
A series of food security surveys conducted at the UFS in 2013, 2022, and 2023 revealed alarming trends. In the 2022 survey, 39% of students reported that at some point during the previous months they had gone without food for an entire day because they could not afford it, and 13% said this was an almost daily occurrence. Additionally, recent data from the South African Survey of Student Engagement, an initiative involving the UFS Centre for Teaching and Learning, show that among students who contemplated dropping out of university, 57% named food insecurity as a reason.
*Thandi, a fourth-year Bachelor of Education student, faced this harsh reality, but persevered. Unable to secure bursaries or loans, she travelled from Pretoria to Bloemfontein every Tuesday to return home on Thursdays, often sleeping in the campus study area and surviving on water. Help finally came in the form of food coupons from the NSH Programme, which gave her the strength to continue. “The food drive helped me stay in the fight to get this degree,” Thandi shares. “If it wasn’t for the help of Ms Annelize, I might have given up somewhere along the line. It's initiatives like the NSH that help students like us to stay on track, preventing us from giving up, one meal at a time. I still benefit from their support today."
Thandi’s story of perseverance and resilience is echoed by many other students who have benefited from the NSH Programme. Another student, *Thabo, shared how the NSH bursary provided him with much-needed relief during challenging times.
“The NSH bursary has been crucial on my academic journey,” Thabo explained. “When I struggled to find funding, the programme ensured I never had to worry about going hungry while completing my academic commitments (assessments). Knowing I could rely on a meal took a huge burden off my shoulders and allowed me to focus on my studies.”
Thabo, a first-generation university student, emphasised how access to food not only improved his academic performance, but also lifted the mental strain of studying on an empty stomach. “Without the NSH support, I struggled with concentration due to hunger, which affected my grades. Thanks to the programme, I’ve earned qualifications I never thought possible.”
"I will forever be grateful to the NSH bursary, as it assists students in a holistic manner by providing them with healthy meals that help them stay mentally sharp and physically equipped to manage academic stress successfully and thrive."
A growing programme with future aspirations
While the NSH Programme offers immediate relief to students facing food insecurity, it also teaches students how to start their own vegetable garden through volunteering opportunities in the campus gardens. “The programme not only provides meals, but also imparts valuable life skills when students learn to plant, harvest and water the beds,” says Visagie.
However, securing sustainable support for the programme is an ongoing challenge. Visagie notes that economic conditions have made it difficult to attract consistent donations. Despite these challenges, the NSH Programme continues to thrive thanks to dedicated donors and two organisations that regularly provide food parcels.
The DSA’s commitment to holistic student well-being and the NSH Programme’s targeted approach to food security are making a tangible difference in students’ lives.
In celebration of World Food Day, the UFS recognises the important role food security plays in student success. With ongoing support from donors, staff and student volunteers, the NSH Programme not only meet students' immediate food needs but also equips them to make a lasting impact in their communities in the future.
*Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved.