Best resource center: The Pantry
Check off that shopping list at the low price of nothing
By ABHINAYA KASAGANI — opinion@theaggie.org
If you’re ever in a pinch and unable to balance the grocery expenses of being a student, The Pantry is here to help. The ASUCD Pantry at UC Davis functions as a “student-run, student-led organization that provides food and other essentials to students and staff who would like support in acquiring food and other necessities,” according to their website. Students claim that The Pantry is truly one of the greatest — if not the greatest — Davis student resources on campus.
“The fact that I can get not just fresh fruits and vegetables, but also hygiene products like toothpaste, brushes, along with contraceptives, all in a one-stop-shop makes the experience extremely wonderful and convenient,” Kaden Tam, a third-year biotechnology major, said. “The Pantry has been there for my lows when I needed ingredients, particularly onions — I love the fact that they pretty much have onions every day — because I wasn't strapped for cash and needed to hit my protein goals.”
Tam not only spoke of The Pantry’s versatility, but also described that the ease and convenience of it all could not be overstated — students can enter without appointments, and its location at the east side of the Memorial Union makes The Pantry a convenient spot for dropping by in between classes. Lastly, Tam mentioned that The Pantry has its own recipe book tailored to ingredients you can find in-store and may have never thought to try.
While some appreciate the resources The Pantry offers, others simply note how wonderful the community is.
“The Pantry is not only an incredible resource — with new items releasing every week — but it is also one of my favorite places I’ve ever worked,” Maya Leonard, a third-year design and communication double major, said. “As a student-run organization, everyone is very kind and welcoming, and I enjoy that every day.”
The mission of The Pantry centers largely around promoting food justice and reducing stigma around food insecurity, which, especially considering the current administrative cuts in food assistance programs, has become all the more important for students at UC Davis. Students and staff members with a valid UC Davis ID are able to order their groceries, food and toiletries both in-person and online (while in-person is during store hours, online ordering runs 24/7). In facilitating a supportive student community that raises awareness about food insecurity, The Pantry works to find holistic solutions to the issue, making it a formidable resource for all on campus.
Written by: Abhinaya Kasagani — opinion@theaggie.org
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