Food Insecurity at UVM | Center for Health and Wellbeing | The University of Vermont(title)

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.

Resources

On-Campus

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Swipe Out Hunger

Available fall and spring semesters, after the Add/Drop Period. Not available during breaks and summer.

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:

  1. Entry to Central Campus Dining, Redstone Dining, Harris Millis Dining, and Northside Dining: all-you-can-eat locations
  2. Davis Center Marketplace and Green Roof Deli: meal exchange where 1 meal swipe = an entrée, side, and beverage.
    • Marketplace: available at breakfast and lunch, Monday-Friday.
    • Green Roof Deli: available at lunch and dinner, Monday-Friday and lunch on Friday.  
  3. University Marche: meal exchange where 1 meal swipe = an entrée, side, and beverage. Available at lunch and dinner, Monday-Friday.

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 UVM students (undergraduate, graduate, and medical students) who live off-campus. Eligibility is based on the honor system. If you submit a request, it will be fulfilled if you do not have an active meal plan/Catscratch with adequate resources, (defined as fewer than $50 value). Have adequate financial resources, but want to purchase a commuter meal plan (Retail Points or Blocks)? Visit the UVM Dining Meal Plan Store.

Facing financial difficulties and need meal swipes?

Apply for Swipe Out Hunger

  • Step 1: Fill out this short request form, which will get submitted to the UVM Meal Plan Office. 
  • Step 2: If approved, within 10 business days, 14 meal swipes will be 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. (see above)

Questions?

Contact Nicole Reilly, UVM Dining Sustainability and 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.

In addition to the normal operating hours for Rally Cats Cupboard, in partnership with UVM Dining, the Food Recovery Network student club holds Free Food Pop-ups every Friday of the academic year, starting at 3pm at Rally Cats Cupboard. They collect food that would otherwise expire over the weekend from several retail dining locations and distribute free of charge to our community.

Rally Cat’s Cupboard

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.

Make a monetary donation to Rally Cat's Cupboard

Off-Campus

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Food help

Food Pantries

Get Help Affording Food

Farmers Markets and Farm Shares

Our partners in the Office of Student and Community Resources offer additional information about support services in the community. 

Got to the Hunger Collaborative website

UVM Hunger Collaborative

UVM's Hunger Collaborative envisions a community where everyone has access to adequate and fulfilling food to support their wellbeing. We provide support to and advocacy for UVM students, staff, and faculty to increase food security and agency in our community.

More About The UVM Hunger Collaborative