08 May The Food Pantry Gets ‘Cooler’ with New Refrigerator Lockers
- ASI’s Food Pantry adds a new feature to help students keep their groceries fresh and safe.
- Refrigerator lockers are a new addition to the Pantry’s services available to all CSUF students and Pantry users.
Keeping Food Fresh and Safe – For Free!
The Pantry reusable tote bag is used to carry free groceries provided by ASI’s Pantry. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications & Design
Imagine packing the yummiest, nutrient-dense yogurt bowl to enjoy between classes, but by the time you’re ready to dig in, it’s been sitting at room temperature for hours. Suddenly, you’re second-guessing. Is it worth the risk, only to possibly pay the consequences later?
The ASI Food Pantry’s newly installed refrigerated lockers can help alleviate students’ worries of carrying around Pantry groceries on campus while attending classes.
Located at the Atrium and outside The Pantry’s front door, top-of-the-line refrigerated lockers are standing tall and ready to meet students’ food storage needs. There are two locker units, and each unit contains 16 temperature-controlled lockers and 13 non-refrigerated lockers. The lockers were made possible through the California Agriculture Grant and Kaiser Permanente.
“The lockers are especially beneficial for commuting students and those who stay on campus late like graduate students,” said Food Pantry Associate Director Cristina Truong. “They can attend class or study without carrying around any food which adds a level of convenience and peace of mind.”
With 83% of Pantry users identifying as full-time students and 60% who recieve Pell Grants, the lockers are designed to meet the specific needs of the community they serve.
During finals week, refrigerated lockers will be open until 1 a.m. to accommodate students’ late nights on campus.
Here are some of the features and procedures to know before using refrigerated lockers that make Titan student life more convenient.
How it Works: Easy, Secure, and Convenient
The Pantry collects donated and purchased items from local grocers and food banks to ensure healthy and fresh options for its patrons. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications and Design
For Titans excited to start using this new addition, here’s how you can get started.
For new Pantry users, follow through with step 1. For current Pantry users, skip to Step 2.
STEP 1: Visit the ASI Services webpage and follow the instructions to sign up on PantrySoft. You must provide your Campus Wide ID (CWID) and student email address to create a username.
STEP 2: Once a profile is created, you can book an appointment to visit the Pantry. You can only use the lockers on the day of your booked appointment.
At the Pantry located in the TSU, you will then collect a SKU barcode from the front desk to proceed while checking out your groceries.
STEP 3: Scan the SKU barcode provided by the Pantry front desk to begin a “drop-off.” Follow the instructions on the touch screen and enter your student email and phone number. A unique access code is then sent to your email and via text to unlock the locker when needed.
STEP 4: Choose the appropriate locker based on your needs. If needed, check the box button indicating an accessible locker is required. The next screen will display different size locker dimensions along with a “coolant” logo if a refrigerated locker is needed. Once chosen, a lit-up arrow will appear next to the assigned locker. Drop in belongings, and don’t forget to “Confirm Drop-Off”
STEP 5: When items are ready to be picked up, choose the “Pick-Up” option on the screen. The code that was sent to your student email and phone number will open the locker. All items must be retrieved before 9:45 p.m.
The lockers help keep perishable food items secure, while the non-refrigerated lockers are ideal for shelf-stable goods, making it efficient for various needs.
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Advancing the Pantry’s Mission: Supporting Students Beyond Food Storage
The Pantry providing free food and additional for Titans on campus. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications & Design
ASI’s resources strive to benefit the student life experience. Based on consistent feedback that appointment times did not always align well with students’ class schedules, the Pantry decided to tend to student needs through its lockers.
“We were inspired to install refrigerator lockers to better support students who may not have time to go straight home after visiting the pantry,” said Truong. “Many of our students have busy schedules with classes, work, or other commitments.”
More so, to meet the schedules and demands of graduate students on campus, the refrigerated lockers allow grads to store their fresh produce and groceries during class hours.
Adding this feature pushes the Pantry’s goal forward and helps students collect additional resources that ASI has to offer. Additionally, this free resource can alleviate students’ stress when it comes to choosing meals, keeping their nutrition a priority.
Ready to Chill? Here’s How to Get Started
ASI’s new Pantry feature will tend to the goal of making CSUF an accessible campus. Titans are encouraged to utilize the new feature as well as the established Pantry to serve food needs.