Langara College’s Nutrition Club, led by student Coco Ma, brings together students interested in food, nutrition, and health through hands-on events and peer learning. The club connects classroom study with real-life skills while building community on campus.
At Langara, Nutrition students are bringing classroom learning to life in ways that support campus wellbeing. Langara’s Nutrition Club has grown into a lively, student-led community focused on food, nutrition, and real-world learning. It creates space for connection, collaboration, and practical learning. Under the enthusiastic leadership of Coco Ma, a Food, Nutrition, and Health Transfer student, the club shows how academic study and student initiative can shape campus life in meaningful ways.
From supporting events like De-Stress Fest to hosting workshops on quick, budget-friendly meals, the Nutrition Club links academic study with real-life application. For students in Langara’s nutrition programs, it offers a chance to apply what they are learning in areas such as community health, food science and nutrition education. It makes nutrition feel immediate and useful. Less abstract. More lived. In doing so, it highlights how food and health are central to everyday student life at Langara.
Coco's motivation to join the club was rooted in her desire to connect with peers after a high school experience heavily influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. The result? A close-knit community that thrives on curiosity and support.
"I stepped into the leadership role because I have a passion for creating and organizing events. The creative process and thought of bringing people together have always excited me," she explains. "The Nutrition Club is a community of curious people who gather in-person and virtually to discuss topics related to nutrition and food service."
This year has been particularly successful for the club, with high engagement and positive feedback from participants. Activities are designed with students' needs in mind, ensuring that the topics resonate. "To maintain engagement and interest, we try to balance between informative and entertaining subjects," Coco shares. Surveys help tailor events to what students want to see, making the club a responsive entity that genuinely cares about fostering student wellbeing.
Langara’s Department of Nutrition and Food Services Management offers students multiple academic pathways in food and health. Gayathri Murthy, department chair and a sponsor of the club, sees clear value for students enrolled in Langara’s nutrition programs. She notes, "The club complements our academic programs by allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts. They gain transferable skills—leadership, teamwork, and communication—all while building their professional identities."
The Nutrition Club works closely with campus partners such as Student Life and the Student Services. That collaboration strengthens the student experience and mirrors what graduates will encounter in future careers. "Nutrition is a big part of a larger ecosystem of student health, wellbeing and success," Murthy explains. As students learn to work together across various systems, they develop a deeper understanding of how nutrition fits into the broader spectrum of health and wellbeing. These applied experiences help students prepare for further studies and careers in nutrition and health.
One standout event this year was the Pop-Up Nutrition event during De-Stress Fest, which received enthusiastic feedback. Students were able to engage directly with nutrition messaging while enjoying a supportive atmosphere. "It shows how these students understand their peers," Murthy remarks, praising their ability to adapt and simplify complex topics. Many students have echoed these sentiments, expressing how the club has enriched their experience at Langara.
Coco encapsulates the profound impact the club has on individuals navigating their academic journeys:
It's incredibly rewarding to hear people say, 'I really needed this today' or 'I didn't know that! That's so cool!'
– Coco Ma, Nutrition Club president
As Langara prepares for events like LangaraFest 2026 and Nutrition Month activities, the Nutrition Club stands ready to make a significant contribution. For students hesitant about joining, Coco encourages them: “We are a welcoming space to learn, connect, and grow, without any pressure.”
In a world where nutritional knowledge can significantly influence personal and community health, the Nutrition Club at Langara College is not just an academic supplement; it is a dynamic force for connection, learning, and lasting engagement.
Interested in studying Nutrition at Langara? The Department of Nutrition and Food Services Management offers three educational pathways:
Learn more about Langara’s Nutrition programs at LangaraFest where the department club will take part in an information fair and host a Nutrition Carnival. Coco will also be a panelist at the Students and Alumni Panel.
Students interested in joining the Nutrition Club can langaranutritionclub [at] gmail.com (send them an email) or DM them on Instagram.
