City Colleges and Food Depository Launch “Food Security for Life” to Combat Student Hunger (Chicago, IL) – City Colleges of Chicago, in partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, unveiled a sweeping new initiative Tuesday aimed at ending student hunger and ensuring long-term food security for its 60,000 students.
The program, called Food Security for Life, was announced during an event at Kennedy-King College. It builds on years of collaboration between the two institutions, which have already opened healthy food markets on each campus. The expanded effort will add enhanced grocery markets, frozen meal options, snack stations, apprenticeships, and improved access to public benefits.
“Food security is about more than meals. It’s about dignity, stability, and the ability to fully participate in life and learning,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson, who joined the launch. “By ensuring access to nutritious food, City Colleges is making an essential investment in student retention, academic achievement, and long-term community health.”
A 2024 survey found that half of City Colleges students identified as food insecure. Leaders of both organizations said that reality underscored the need for a broader safety net.
Gov. JB Pritzker praised the program as a model response to rising grocery costs and changes in federal nutrition programs. “It’s more important than ever to take steps to end food insecurity and help every Illinoisan get the nourishment they need,” he said.
The new initiative will roll out in phases. Among its highlights:
Dynamic Food Markets: Expanded pantries with groceries and prepared meals, starting with Kennedy-King College in January 2026.
Snacks to Go: Free snacks for students at all seven colleges this fall.
Meals to Go: Take-home meals at Malcolm X, Kennedy-King and Olive-Harvey colleges, with expansion planned across the system.
Public Benefits Assistance: On-campus help connecting students to SNAP, WIC and Medicaid.
Living-Wage Apprenticeships: Job opportunities for students with the Food Depository.
Chancellor Juan Salgado said the goal is to remove barriers that force students to choose between basic needs and education. “Our students come to City Colleges with big dreams, and being hungry should never stand in the way,” Salgado said.
The program will be free to students, supported by donors including Knight Impact Partners, which made a lead contribution to sustain the rollout over the next five years.
“Where barriers end, opportunity begins,” said Rebecca Knight, the group’s board chair.
For details on hours, benefits access, and food availability, students are encouraged to visit their campus Wellness Center.
City Colleges and Food Depository Launch “Food Security for Life” to Combat Student Hunger
