Food Pantries and Immediate Food Assistance

This page includes location, hours, and general information on various food pantries on campus run by both Student Services and student government (SUA). We strive to offer a variety of healthy and culturally relevant produce options, in addition to pantry staples like rice, grains, and proteins. We welcome your feedback and recommendations, and encourage students to share their thoughts on how we can improve our food pantry options and experience.

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[Map Key: Green - Free Food Pantries, Yellow - EBT/Calfresh Accepted Retailers. Click the map markers for more info on each location.]

If you are a student needing immediate food assistance, you may contact Slug Support directly:
Phone: 831-459-4446 (Dean of Students Front Desk)
Email: deanofstudents@ucsc.edu
Visit the Dean of Students office at Hahn Student Services, Open Mon-Fri / 9am- 5pm
Slug Support can assist by providing UCSC Dining Meal Vouchers, assistance in applying for CalFresh benefits, and access to emergency food pantry. 

UCSC Slug Support
Hahn Student Services, 245
UCSC Dining Meal Vouchers
Assistance in applying for CalFresh benefits
Access to emergency food pantry 

Dean of Students Slug Support Pantry
Hours: Tues-Thurs 3 - 7:30 PM, Sat 1 - 5 PM
Location: Next to the Cowell Coffee Shop, that is located next to the Cowell College Dining Hall 
Fresh produce, ready-to-eat meals (vegan & vegetarian options), and non-perishables
Snacks, coffee, tea, & microwave are available
Bringing your own bag is encouraged
Follow UCSC Food for All for updates on hours, fresh deliveries, and current menu.

SUA Food Pantry & Lounge
Hours: Every day 12PM - 6PM 
Location: OPERS Front Office (by the pool)
Choice-based food pantry and lounge space
Fresh produce, ready-to-eat meals, and non-perishables
Snacks, coffee, tea, & microwave are available
Current UCSC ID necessary to receive food; bringing your own bag is encouraged
Contact: Isabella Bullock, Vice President of Student Life, suavpsl@ucsc.edu or Frida Salgado, Pantry Manager, suapntry@ucsc.edu

Follow SUA Food Pantry & Lounge on Facebook for updates on hours, fresh deliveries, and current menu

ERC Snack Pantry
Hours: Mon-Fri 9AM - 4PM
Location: Ethnic Resource Centers, Third floor of Bay Tree Building
Choice-based food pantry
Healthy snacks and dry goods
Accommodations Contact: ercadmin@ucsc.edu or (831) 459-2427

Cantu Queer Center Food Pantry
Hours: Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM
Location: The Cantú, behind Merrill College & next to KZSC
Self-service pantry & Full service kitchen
Accommodations Contact: queer@ucsc.edu

Follow UCSC Food for All on Facebook for updates and announcements on food resources.

On Campus EBT Retailers
The CalFresh Program, formerly known as Food Stamps and federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, can add to your food budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table. The program issues monthly electronic benefits (EBT) through a card, similar to a bank debit card, that can be used to buy most foods at many markets, food stores, and farmers’ markets; on-campus EBT retailers and farmers' markets are listed below. The UCSC Slug Support Program provides assistance and more information on how to apply for CalFresh. 

Banana Joe’s
Hours: Mon - Thurs 10AM - 11PM, Fri 10AM- 3PM
Location: Located near the Crown College fountain and Crown College Dining Hall
Cafe and convenience store
Banana Joe's also coordinates the UCSC online grocery, which also accepts EBT.
Cash, credit cards, flexi dollars, meal equivalencies, and EBT accepted

UCSC Produce Pop-Up
Location: Rachel Carson College Quad (Tuesdays, 10am-2pm), Quarry Plaza (Fridays, 10am-2pm)
Produce stand with fresh fruits & veggies from the UCSC Farm & Santa Cruz Farmers' Market;  Cash, check, & EBT accepted
Double Up Food Bucks Program - we'll match every CalFresh dollar spent with double the amount of produce
Follow UCSC Produce Pop-Up on Facebook for updated schedule and weekly produce items

UCSC Farm Stand
Hours: Fridays / 12pm - 6pm
Location: Base of campus (Bay & High)
Open June - October or early November 
Cash, check, EBT/Calfresh accepted.
Check out the CASFS website for more information:https://casfs.ucsc.edu/community/produce-sales/farm-and-garden-market-cart.html