Food insecurity is when you don’t have consistent access to enough food.
Recent surveys at UVM show that one in five students have been food insecure within the past year. If you need help getting food or want to learn more about food insecurity the following resources can help.
On-Campus Resources
Swipe Out Hunger: Available fall and spring semesters
This program connects off-campus students facing food insecurity with food on campus. If you are experiencing financial difficulties and can’t afford meals Swipe Out Hunger offers short-term help until you are connected with more sustainable funding or other resources. Students may qualify for up to 14 meal swipes per academic year to purchase food from select dining locations at UVM.
Meal swipes can be redeemed in the following ways:
- Entry to Central Campus Dining, Redstone Dining, or Harris Millis Dining: all-you-can-eat locations
- Davis Center Marketplace: meal exchange where 1 meal swipe = an entrée, side, and beverage. Available at breakfast and lunch, Monday-Thursday. Note: Swipe Out Hunger swipes are not accepted at the Green Roof Deli.
- University Marche: meal exchange where 1 meal swipe = an entrée, side, and beverage. Available at lunch and dinner, Monday-Thursday.
Note: exclusions apply at Davis Center Marketplace and University Marche. Please refer to signage in these locations for item eligibility and hours as part of the meal exchange.
Enrollment each semester is limited to students who live off campus and is based on the honor system. If you submit a request it will be fulfilled if you do not have an active meal plan with adequate resources, defined as fewer than $50 value on your CatCard. This program serves students living off-campus without meal plans, including graduate and medical students.
Facing financial difficulties and need meal swipes?
- Step 1: Fill out this short request form, which will get submitted to the UVM Meal Plan Office.
- Step 2: If approved, within 3-5 business days 14 meal swipes will get added to your CatCard. You will receive an email once this happens with instructions on how to use the program.
- Step 3: Redeem your meals at select UVM Dining locations.
Questions?
Contact Contact Nicole Reilly, UVM Dining Sustainability & Campus Partnership Manager, Nicole.Reilly@uvm.edu.
Rally Cat’s Cupboard: available year-round
Come visit us at our home on the first floor of the Davis Center near the tunnel and across from Feel Good.
Follow @rallycatscupboard on Facebook and Instagram for updates or more information. Direct message on social media or email cupboard@uvm.edu to set up another time to get items.
The Interfaith Center, Mosaic Center for Students of Color, Prism Center, and Women and Gender Equity Center also house smaller food pantries for the students they serve.
Want to help?
Donations to Rally Cat’s Cupboard are always welcome. Contact cupboard@uvm.edu if you are interested in volunteering or making a food donation.
You can also donate non-perishable food items at Patrick Gymnasium and Gutterson Fieldhouse. Donation boxes are located in the Patrick Gym lobby, the Group Fitness Hub, and the Gucciardi Fitness Center lobby.
Off-Campus Food and Social Services Resources
Food Pantries
- Feeding Chittenden: hosts food shelves and provides other programs and resources to fight hunger.
- South Burlington Food Shelf: a food shelf on Dorset Street in South Burlington.
Get Help Affording Food
- 3SquaresVT food benefits: check your eligibility for 3SquaresVT
Farmers Markets and Farm Shares
- Intervale Center Fair Share Program: Offers no-cost, gleaned CSA shares and discounted, delivered CSA shares for students enrolled in EBT. 802-660-0440
Our partners in the Office of Student and Community Resources offer additional information about support services in the community.