CHICAGO (WLS) — On Tuesday, Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson celebrated the introduction of “Food Security for Life,” a program geared towards eradicating hunger for students in City Colleges.

The Greater Chicago Food Depository is also involved in the endeavor.

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“Food security extends beyond just providing meals. It encompasses dignity, consistency, and the capacity to fully engage in education and life skills. Data repeatedly shows that students facing food insecurity are at a greater risk of skipping classes, underperforming academically, or even dropping out. By guaranteeing access to healthy food, City Colleges is making an essential commitment to student retention, success in academics, and the long-term health of the community,” Johnson explained.

A 2024 survey of City Colleges student basic needs found that 50% identified as food insecure, the mayor’s office said.

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The initiative will feature on-campus markets stocked with groceries for students, healthy frozen meals for students and their families, snacks available at different campus spots, improved access to public benefits, and opportunities for student apprenticeships, as detailed by the mayor’s office.

It seeks to end hunger among City Colleges’ 73,000 students for a lifetime.

“I take pride in launching the Food Security for Life program, a collaborative effort that encompasses the entire community to provide our students and their families with the nourishment necessary for their well-being,” Pritzker stated. “With the Trump administration undermining the SNAP program and tariffs causing a rise in grocery prices for working families, it is crucial now more than ever to address food insecurity and ensure every individual in Illinois has access to the nutrition required for a healthy, fulfilling life.”

The Food Security for Life program will be offered at no cost to City Colleges students, thanks to donors.

The initiative comes as students and their families are already feeling the impact of cuts to food assistance programs from the Trump administration.

Mo’hogney Mitchell, 20, doesn’t have to worry about choosing between getting an education and having food to eat.

“My grandmother underwent knee surgery, and it significantly impacted her recovery. It also benefitted me since I was able to provide her with some of the meals I received,” Mitchell shared.

The second year Kennedy-King psychology major is one of the students participating in the effort.

Advocates say research consistently shows that food-insecure students are more likely to miss class, perform poorly or drop out altogether.

“Our goal is to ensure that every City Colleges student and their family members have all the nutritious food required to prosper,” stated Kate Maehr, CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

The program comes as supporters say working families are struggling to feed themselves.

“Last month, the cost of groceries in the United States grew at its fastest pace in three years due to the Trump tariffs. At the same time, the administration has the SNAP program putting nutritional benefits for 360,000 Illinois recipients at risk,” Pritzker said.

The launch will target the highest-need communities.

This program is an expansion of the food pantries that are already in existence at the City Colleges.