Titanic Belfast gives Queen’s Pantry a fresh boost

Students at Queen’s University are set to benefit from free fruit and vegetables at the Students’ Union Pantry through funding from the Titanic Belfast Community Impact Fund.

The free refill station, which provides dried foods and household essentials to students, can now expand its essentials so that students can put together nutritious meals at no cost.

Welcoming the additional funding, Queen's University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Ian Greer, said:

"The University works with the Students’ Union to help support thousands of our students who struggle with costs. With food prices continuing to rise, eating can often come last after rent, bills and books.

“We are committed to supporting the Pantry, which directly supports 17,000 visits each year, providing students with essential items to build well balanced meals.

“We very much welcome the additional funding from the Titanic Belfast Community Impact Fund which will help the Pantry provide fresh fruit and vegetable to students throughout the university year. This is yet another example of how philanthropy can have an enormous impact on everyday lives.”

The Pantry, which is currently funded by the University and through the Queen’s Annual Fund, will also use this support to provide meal pack giveaways with the ingredients and recipes to make a healthy meal. These will be offered at intervals throughout the year, particularly during exams, to support healthy eating and reduce cost barriers.

CEO of Titanic Belfast, Judith Owens MBE, added:

"We are delighted to support The Pantry at Queen's University through the Titanic Belfast Community Impact Fund. We recognise the pressures that the cost-of-living crisis continues to place on students and the importance of ensuring they have access to essential items while pursuing their education.

“Through this partnership, we hope to make a meaningful difference to student wellbeing, helping to ease some of the financial pressures they face and supporting the fantastic work being delivered by the Students' Union and the University. We are proud to support an initiative that makes a positive and lasting social impact to our local community, something we are very much focused on through our sustainability goals and helps students feel supported during their time at Queen's."

Queen’s University Students Union President, Nadine Curtis, said:

"The Pantry provides a vital source of support for students here at Queen's.

"A 2026 NUS-USI student survey found that 43% students regularly skip meals, while 27% worry about money "all the time". Support from the Titanic Belfast Community Impact Fund will enable us to expand this project, largely through the provision of free fruit and vegetables, helping reduce both the financial challenges and anxiety our students are facing.

"This scheme will also fund 'meal pack giveaways' at key periods in the year where student stress is at its peak, reducing barriers to healthy eating that supports our students physical and mental wellbeing while they study."