General questions:
COVID-19 HOTLINE (714) 834-2000

Medical questions:
Health Referral Line (800) 564-8448

Pantry Food Distributions: 

Our pantry has modified services during Covid-19. Students experiencing a food security emergency may sign up to receive a mixed box of produce, dairy, and deli. Our new hours of operation to pick up FRESH Pantry Food Boxes will be every week for November 2020 on Wednesdays 10:45am-3:30pm. The sign up page will be available at least 5 days prior to the upcoming distribution, usually on Thursdays. 

**Please note that these dates and hours below are subject to change at any point in the future.** Please read below so you can be ready before arrival:

November Pantry Distribution Dates:

• Wednesday, November 4
• Wednesday, November 9
  • Monday distribution because of Veteran’s Day holiday on the 11th
• Wednesday, November 18
• Wednesday, November 23
  • Monday distribution because of Thanksgiving Holiday
    
    

Before Arrival:

1. Please book an appointment to select and secure your appointment.
2. Come to FRESH at your timeslot on the scheduled distribution date AND bring your own bags! (If you are running late, please make sure to arrive before the end of the distribution time).
3. You don't currently need a parking permit to park in Lot 5

Virtual CalFresh Assistance

FRESH is offering application assistance via Zoom conferencing software. Through this method, we will have one of our staff guide you through the CalFresh application remotely while you complete it on your own (through the feature of screen sharing). If you are living with family members and buying/sharing food with them, please be aware that you will have to apply with them. Please consult your family before signing-up for an appointment. Please also be aware that we will need everyone’s documents on the application as well, including everyone's IDs, Social Security Numbers, and pay stubs for every employed family member.

Farm-to-FRESH vouchers help supplement our pantry distributions with additional access to fruits and vegetables during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this program, our pantry visitors can get additional food support and receive up to 4 monthly $30 vouchers (or more for students with children) to use at the Tanaka Farms Drive-Through Produce Market Stand. Please note that for Summer 2020, we are requiring applicants to first tap into our pantry food distributions before requesting supplemental support via these vouchers.

Please visit the Farm-to-FRESH tab to apply!

This program is paused for Summer 2020 as our campus eateries are closed for Summer. This program will resume in Fall of 2020! 

The Emergency Meal Swipe Program (EMSP) helps students that are experiencing food insecurity and/or a student emergency, access to  several healthy and well-balanced meals offered at UCI's Dining Commons.

FRESH Social Worker Consultations are confidential Zoom appointments with our basic needs clinical social worker to provide support and guidance to students experiencing financial stress, food/housing insecurity, and other stressors or complex needs.

Do you have additional basic needs questions or need help navigating campus and community resources? Book a 30-minute consultation via Zoom with our Campus Social Worker, Peter Thach! If you have trouble finding an available appointment slot, please mail us at fresh@uci.edu . 

Thank you so much for thinking of supporting our students in need! 

For food donations, we accept non-perishable and perishable goods as long as they are unopened and unexpired.

We also accept monetary donations as well through the UCI Portal.