University of Tasmania students open social enterprise cafe to help those going hungry
- By Jasmine Snow
- Topic: Universities
1h ago1 hours ago Sat 13 Jun 2026 at 6:37pm
It might look like a regular cafe, but a new student-run business in Hobart's CBD has a different goal than turning a profit — a chance to feed struggling peers.
Grounded cafe is the Tasmanian University Student Association's (TUSA) latest social enterprise, with profits returned to the association's broader food insecurity programs for students.
TUSA operates five food hubs across its campuses that provide free ticketed items such as fresh produce, bread and frozen meals to students in need.
Pantry items such as rice or canned goods can be added on for a dollar each.
Cafe made by students, for students
For some, the cafe has created a new third space in the city that is welcoming and student-friendly.
"It's been missing in recent years, a soul and a gathering place for students to come," mature-aged UTAS student Mark said.
First-year student Sophia said she enjoyed having a space in Hobart's midtown because it was "so close by to everything" and was "very affordable".
Former student Dylan said when he was studying, there weren't many places like the cafe that were affordable and convenient in the city.
"There wasn't really any nice spaces to just sit down and potentially meet other students,"
he said.
Along with students being eligible for a 20 per cent discount, the cafe also has a pay-it-forward system for coffees and meals.
It also employs students who learn hospitality skills while serving affordable meals and drinks to the community.
Third of students face food shortages
A 2024 survey by the University of Tasmania found 53 per cent of its students faced food insecurity, with one in three skipping multiple meals a week.
"These are dire times for our university students," TUSA president Jack Oates Pryor said.
"If we're not able to eat as students, then we are not able to engage with study, we're not able to graduate and contribute to the Tasmanian workforce more broadly.
Mr Oates Pryor said cost-of-living pressures were among factors contributing to students reducing their study load from full time to part time.
He said students are "working an average of 29 hours per week in addition to their studies", which was "mammoth".
But he said he has seen a decrease in students skipping meals in 2026, with an increase in students accessing the food hubs.
Food hubs keeping students at uni
TUSA food hubs started in 2023 at the University of Tasmania's Sandy Bay Campus.
Since then, the association has opened four hubs across the state and one at its New South Wales campus in Sydney.
They are funded by grants and stocked by donations from food banks and charities.
The association does not intend to rely on grant funding to keep the services available, so the cafe is a part of sustainable funding.
Volunteer and student Jhumu said the service was essential, as it could be "difficult to survive" as an international student.
"It has variety, it has free items and very cheap payment for the pantry items. So, it's very convenient,"
she said.
Catherine also accessed the service and said, "it's a great way to make sure that I have a stock up of food at home".
"It's helpful and it's lovely to feel like you're well cared for," shared student Jj, after going into Hobart's weekly food hub.
According to TUSA, in 2025 about one-quarter of UTAS students accessed the food hub.
"We constantly hear from students [that the] food hubs have kept them enrolled in uni, and they are experiencing less stress because they know that there is a place to go for food every week," TUSA's food security project lead Kim White said.
"Without food hubs, we'd see a lot more students dropping out of uni and needing to work to sustain the cost of living."
Following the opening of Grounded, the association plans to open a social supermarket within the next year.
This would provide more free food to students, along with discounted items to people in the broader community.
