A recent study has shown that a significant proportion of British students are attributing their lack of fruit and vegetable consumption to a surprising reason – a shortage of freezer space. Contrary to popular belief, it appears that alcohol and takeaways are not the primary culprits preventing students from meeting their daily recommended intake of fruits and veggies. Instead, a health-conscious 30% of students claim that their limited freezer space is to blame for their dietary choices.
The survey, conducted by Iceland Foods, found that over half (55%) of students do not have sufficient access to freezer space in their accommodations. On average, a UK student reportedly shares a freezer with four other housemates, with some even sharing with seven or more individuals. This scarcity of freezer space has led to what Iceland describes as a ‘free freezer space’ (F.F.S) crisis, leaving many students struggling to find room for their food.
The demand for more freezer space has resulted in tensions among housemates, with one in five (20%) students admitting that it has caused arguments at home. Additionally, 20% of students confessed that they would consider padlocking their freezers to prevent others from using them. Interestingly, almost a fifth (18%) of students expressed a desire for more freezer space to chill their pre-drinks before nights out.
Furthermore, the research highlighted that students are often left with minimal storage options, with the majority of shared freezers offering only three drawers or fewer. In addition to the freezer space issue, other common grievances among students include maintaining cleanliness in their accommodations, disruption due to noise, and concerns about others using or throwing out their food.
In response to these findings, Iceland has partnered with Deliveroo to launch a campaign aimed at supporting students. The collaboration includes giving away 60 free mini freezers to students in Leeds and Manchester. The aim is to address the freezer space challenge faced by many students and provide them with convenient access to quality food items.
By offering free delivery of Iceland products through the Deliveroo app, the initiative aims to encourage students to make healthier food choices and alleviate the freezer space constraints they are currently experiencing. To further incentivize students, Iceland is running a competition where one lucky shopper stands a chance to win a year’s supply of Iceland groceries for free.
Ultimately, this partnership between Iceland and Deliveroo seeks to empower students to prioritise their health and well-being by ensuring they have the necessary resources to store and access nutritious food options. With the provision of mini freezers and convenient delivery services, students can overcome the challenges posed by limited freezer space and make healthier dietary decisions while pursuing their academic endeavours.