Welcome to our Pantries!
The UCI Basic Needs Center utilizes two pantry models: The FRESH Pantry and the Mobile Pantry
The FRESH Pantry
The FRESH Pantry provides emergency food and toiletries to UCI students experiencing basic needs insecurities. UCI students can access this resource with their UCI Student ID Card or ID number. All information is kept confidential.
The Mobile Pantry
The Mobile Pantry is our second pantry model that brings food closer to students. Our 22-foot customized delivery van is designed to make food more accessible to students and bring it closer to where they live. Scheduled to be on campus on Fridays, the mobile food pantry will operate in tandem with the UCI Basic Needs Center’s FRESH pantry.
Our pantry can only support current UCI undergraduate and graduate students. UCI Staff and Postdoctoral Researchers are encouraged to check out community resources.
Before visiting the FRESH Pantry, please complete the following once per academic year:
- Complete the 23-24 Client Agreement Form
- This agreement outlines FRESH Pantry community guidelines, the intended purpose of pantry items, as well as general information on food item expiration dates.
- Read the FRESH Pantry Community Guidelines
Appointments for the week release every Monday (unless there is a holiday prior). If all appointments are booked, please visit our other services or email basicneeds@uci.edu for more support.
We are now trialing a virtual walk-in system with QLess. Please be patient while we launch this new system. If you are looking to join the walk-in line please click the button below. The queue opens at 9:45am on our open pantry days. Wait times may be inaccurate and we are still serving students on a 15-minute cycle.
- You will receive a text once you have successfully joined the walk-in line.
- You may receive updates on your wait time and place in line.
- You will be texted “It’s now your turn!….” at the time you are able to shop. Please arrive within 10 minutes and be ready to provide your name and text confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- I don’t have a phone or I’m having issues connecting.
- Visit our front desk to receive a number. Your number will be called when it’s your turn.
- Can I join the line when I’m at home?
- Yes, just make sure you are able to make it to the FRESH Pantry by the time it’s your turn! You can leave the virtual line at any time or place yourself later in the queue if you need more time to arrive.
- I joined the virtual line but am now running late, what do I do?
- Text M for more time. You’ll be pushed back in the queue to give you some more time to arrive for your shopping period.
Pantry Access/Mobility Accommodation Request
The Basic Needs Center sits a distance away from the nearest parking lot and there are a few inclines in between to get to our space. If you have access or mobility concerns in getting to our center, please fill out a mobility accomodation form to request alternative access to emergency food (pantry) support. A staff member will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.
In addition, please fill out this form if you are requesting access to the FRESH Pantry as a visiting scholar or postdoctoral fellow. Please note our pantry currently only serves enrolled undergrad students and graduate students. Visiting scholars or postdoctoral fellows are coded in the system as staff; therefore, an exception is required.
For any questions, please contact Andrea Mora at andrea.g@uci.edu or (949) 824-7529
Parking
Parking permits are required to visit the center with the exception of a few marked stalls in Lot 6. Please check the bottom of our Contact Us page for detailed parking information.
HOW IT WORKS
Thank you for your interest in visiting our pantries! Please review the updates and guidelines below to help ensure a smooth visit.
How the FRESH Pantry Works:
- Students are able to visit the FRESH Pantry once a week during the hours of operation that can be found on this page. Hours are subject to change.
- To lessen wait time, appointments can also be made on this page. Walk-ins are still available.
- If you are no longer able to visit the pantry at your scheduled appointment time, please cancel or reschedule the appointment.
- All pantry visitors have 15 minutes to shop. If you arrive late, your shopping time will decrease. A limited number of students are allowed inside the center per time period.
- Students may take as many items as fits into 1 basket or family dolly. Parenting students (students with children 18 or younger) may request a slightly larger family dolly to shop.
- Only the student that made the appointment will be allowed access inside the pantry. Roommates, spouses, friends, etc. cannot shop on your behalf. This service is only available to current and continuing UCI students.
- Kindly bring your reusable grocery bags for your visit.
- When you have finished shopping, utilize the bagging tables outside to bag your items. Please return the dollies and carts.
- Please only take what you need for the week and remember that this is a community resource.
How the Mobile Pantry Works:
- The Mobile Food Pantry will be in operation every Friday at a different location on the UCI campus. We are requesting student book an appointment. We still welcome walk-ins!
- Once you check in at the vehicle, you will select items from a pre-set menu and then shop for produce.
- The mobile pantry’s menu consists of
- Perishables (milk, almond milk, eggs, yogurt, tofu and frozen prepared meals),
- Non Perishables (bread, pasta, oats, peanut butter, tuna, soup and beans)
- Produce (apples, oranges, lemons, yams, potatoes, onions and carrots).
- Only the student that made the appointment will be allowed to shop the mobile pantry. Roommates, spouses, friends, etc. cannot shop on your behalf. This service is only available to current and continuing UCI students.
- When you have finished shopping, utilize the bagging tables next to the vehicle to bag your items.
- Please only take what you need for the week and remember that this is a community resource.
Other Reminders:
Face coverings will continue to be available for those who would like to utilize them.
Help Promote Sustainability!
In an effort to promote sustainability, we will no longer be providing paper bags starting Spring Quarter 2022.
Please bring your own reusable grocery bags for your FRESH Pantry visit!
If you are experiencing greater need, please email our Basic Needs Coordinator, Anne-Marie Krumrei at a.krumrei@uci.edu to inquire about additional pantry usage and related resources.