The University of Newcastle has expanded its Sustain Me food initiative across its regional campus network, offering heavily discounted meals to help students manage cost-of-living pressures. The program is projected to deliver up to 30,000 subsidised meals per semester, generating a collective savings of approximately $200,000 for enrolled students.
Discounts offered through participating campus food retailers include $5 bánh mì and drink combos, $4 burgers, and two-for-one sushi rolls. Following a successful pilot program at selected Callaghan outlets during Semester One, the program now operates across the Callaghan campus, NUspace in the Newcastle CBD, and the Central Coast campus in Gosford.
The initiative was developed following direct student feedback and is partially funded through the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). SSAF revenue also supports complementary campus services, including subsidized gym memberships, student health initiatives, and employment advisory programs.
Pro Vice-Chancellor Student Experience at the University of Newcastle, Professor Jennifer McDonell stated that providing low-cost meal options supports overall student wellbeing and academic performance.
“We know that our students are feeling the cost-of-living pressure, and this is one of the ways we can support students to access nutritious and affordable meals while they’re on campus,” Jennifer said.
“We’re estimating that we’ll provide up to 30,000 meals to students this semester, saving them around $200,000. That’s a significant saving for students who are often juggling study with work and other personal commitments, all on a budget.”
Master of Business Administration student, Alanis Dias added that on-campus food affordability improves daily student engagement, particularly for international students and during high-workload exam periods.
“As an international student, being away from home, it’s important to feel supported. Initiatives that make food more accessible and affordable help students feel welcome and part of the university community,” Alanis said.
“There are plenty of days when I don’t have time to pack lunch, especially during exams and assignment periods, so having affordable food available on campus makes a real difference. It’s not just about budget-friendly meals. These initiatives bring students together, they might spark a conversation about the deals we got, and they help make the university experience feel more like home.”
IMAGE | University of Newcastle expands Sustain Me program to deliver $200,000 in student meal savings
