The UW Farm has had a long relationship with food banks near campus. Before the UW Food Pantry was established, students donated farm produce to the nearby UDistrict Food Bank.

Students also organized pop-up food distribution events on campus that featured farm produce.

During 2020, a formal partnership with the new campus food pantry was established with the signing of the first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) .The MOU  spells out the farm’s and the pantry’s commitment to rescuing vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruit that are not snapped up, or do not meet the standards or quantities needed for the CSA, UW Dining, and Athletics. All produce fit for consumption is then re-packaged and distributed to those in need. Produce not fit for consumption is fed to our red wigglers in our new Vermicomposting Facility or sent to Cedar Grove to be made into compost.

The MOU also means that the UW Farm guarantees at least $5,000 worth (wholesale value) to the pantry annually. The farm team also keeps detailed records, supplies educational information, training in food safety, and hosts interns and an AmeriCorps volunteer to help out.

We thought of inviting one of the UW Food Pantry Staff to write to readers about their efforts.

Donating to the UW Food Pantry

By Felicidad Smith, Food Drive Coordinator, UW Food Pantry

Since its creation in 2018, the UW Food Pantry [blogs.us7.list-manage.com] helps hundreds of students experiencing food insecurity meet their nutritional needs so they can thrive in college.

With the 2022-2023 school year quickly approaching and the rising costs of rent, tuition, and groceries, the UW Food Pantry is a free resource on campus that helps UW community members put food on the table. The need for food assistance on campus is astonishingly high, as the pantry sees hundreds of visitors every week.

In order for the UW Food Pantry to continue to meet the need for food assistance on campus, we need your help. Until mid November 2022, the UW Food Pantry is partnering with the UW Farm to collect shelf stable, non-perishable food items.

A food drive donation bin is placed in the same location where CSA boxes are picked up. When picking up your CSA Box on Wednesdays, consider dropping off a donation to help a hungry husky! The UW Food Pantry is currently in need of pasta, peanut butter, boxed cereal, and canned goods. Your donations are greatly appreciated!

If you have any questions, please contact the UW Food Pantry’s Food Drive Coordinator at givefood@uw.edu.