05 Mar Grab & Go: On-Campus Pantry Events Make Nutrition Easy and Accessible
- Snack Bag Giveaway: ASI Food Pantry gave out snacks to combat student hunger, serving over 3,000 students since 2023.
- Pop-up Pantries: Mobile pantries will offer free groceries and food demos on March 18 & 24.
- Wellness Focus: The Pantry provides food, resources and education for student health year-round.
Associated Students Inc.’s, Food Pantry welcomed Cal State Fullerton students on Feb. 5 to explore the Pantry’s vast resources. Students who previously registered for the event were eligible to receive snack bag bundles filled with treats such as energy bars, beef jerky, microwave ramen, canned soup, Poppi soda, Gatorade and much more.
Marking the beginning of the spring 2025 academic semester, the snack bag giveaway was created with student needs in mind. In combating student hunger at CSUF, the Pantry has served over 3,000 students since relocating to Titan Student Union (TSU) 129 in 2023.
ASI student employees and pro staff gathered to assist in the Snack Bag Giveaway. / Credit: ASI Marketing
“The Pantry planned the snack bag giveaway to accommodate students that are on campus all day. While this is our first time hosting this, we purchased a variety of snacks that can be enjoyed amidst a busy day,” said ASI Food Pantry coordinator Talia Rodriguez.
With multiple ASI staff and student workers in attendance, the giveaway highlighted its dedicated service to students, displaying the variety of resources available to Titans all year round.
“Working at The Pantry has opened many opportunities for me and has made me very aware of how many people need this resource on campus,” shared ASI Food Pantry student employee Celsey Camacho. The Food Pantry’s impact goes beyond serving Titans in need, involving even student staff to take part in combating hunger for their peers.
From Snack Bags to Pop-Ups
Furthering the Pantry’s mission, this semester’s mobile Pop-up Pantries will occur on March 18 & 24 in the Central Quad aiming to bring assistance and vital resources to Titans in need. Students can easily scan the QR code on-site to register and collect their free groceries without needing to sign up in advance.
In partnership with CSUF’s Basic Needs Services, Titan Well and FOODucation Live!, the Pop-up Pantry will highlight the diverse resources available on campus.
“The main goal of the collaborations in this year’s Pop-up is to teach students how to cook healthy food,” emphasized Rodriguez. “In having these organizations there and developing these live demonstrations, students can learn how to cook healthy recipes with some of the options that we provide at the pantry.”
From providing diverse food recipes, appointment assistance and wellness education, the Pantry embodies its mission to ensure every student has convenient access to everyday essentials.
Items like apples, onions, canned soup and noodles will be provided for students to explore and stock up on, all free of charge.
Enhancing Food Access and Wellness
Powerade and pudding cups were some of many snacks included in the Snack Bag Giveaway.
Since Spring 2023, ASI Pop-up Pantries have showcased The Pantry’s extensive campus collaborations meant to ease college life for students.
“One of the best things about relocating to the Pop-up to the Central Quad is that it used to take us approximately three to four hours to see 110 individuals, and now we are able to serve that amount of students in just one hour,” shared Rodriguez.
For the Pantry, these events are held to open the discussion on wellness and health that goes beyond just what we eat.
“The Pop-up Pantries are just one of the many ways for students to view food as something that goes beyond just your nutrition health. They are a link for students to have ways to learn how to live a healthy life here on campus,” stated Rodriguez.
The Snack Bag giveaway and Pantry Pop-Ups provide more visibility and accessibility to ASI resources.
Although the Pop-up Pantries are held each semester, students are encouraged to visit the Pantry year-round.
With both appointment-based services and walk-in sessions available, the Pantry’s commitment to addressing food insecurity on campus remains a key goal in its existence and expansion in the TSU.