Case study:
Student experience
Providing food relief for international students through an innovative pop-up supermarket
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Study Melbourne funded the International Student Pop-up Supermarket, which was delivered by Foodbank Victoria, to provide food relief to Victorian international students who were experiencing hardship.
From October 2020 to December 2021, the pop-up supermarket supported over 66,400 international students with a diverse range of fresh produce and pantry staples such as pasta and rice. Located on La Trobe Street in the heart of Melbourne, the store offered culturally appropriate products for international students to choose from in a respectful and supportive environment. To access the service, students just needed to bring their student ID card and a shopping bag.
In addition to the Pop-Up Supermarket, international students could access dedicated food relief as a result of Study Melbourne funding awarded to SecondBite, OzHarvest and the expansion of the City of Melbourne's Our Shout food voucher program. International students also had access to comprehensive support through Study Melbourne's dedicated COVID-19 support hub.
“They are so helpful, but more importantly they are very sympathetic to the students that come here. I feel like they see my situation as a friend would.” Student visitor to the pop-up supermarket