Data from the 2016 UC Graduate Student Well-being Survey show that 23 percent of Berkeley graduate students lack consistent access to nutritious foods. If you find yourself needing assistance over the winter break (or at any time of year), some options for you are shown below. UC Berkeley Food Pantry The UC Berkeley Food Pantry is located in Room 68 in the MLK Student Union and provides emergency food relief for UC Berkeley community members who may be experiencing food insecurity — whether it is skipping meals or worrying about being able to afford groceries. For Fall 2018, they’ve set up specific Grad Hours on Thursdays from 2 to 7 pm and Saturdays from 1 to 3pm. For more information and up-to-date hours, please see the Food Pantry website. Financial Aid & Scholarships Graduate and professional students may be eligible for the Food Assistance Program, which helps students who have exhausted all other funding options to meet their short-term needs. Students awarded through this program may be required to submit additional information, attend a one-on-one financial counseling session to explore additional aid options, and/or develop a spending plan. CalFresh Enrollment Clinics Students may be eligible for CalFresh benefits, which provide food dollars each month to buy fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and other healthy foods. Benefits are distributed to a special EBT card that can be used like a debit card at many of the major chain grocery stores, including Costco and Trader Joe’s. The Berkeley Student Food Collective also takes EBT. The Basic Needs Coalition hosts an enrollment clinic every Friday with an outreach specialist to assist students in the enrollment process. Sign up for a clinic here or apply directly. University Health Services What’s Eating You? is UHS’s nutrition section with tips for healthy eating habits, positive body image, and eating on a budget. UHS collaborates annually with the Centers for Educational Equity and Excellence to compile a winter break resource list, providing information on low-cost grocery options and eat-out meals, free meals in the community, and UC Berkeley Food Pantry and Cal Dining hours.
Data from the 2016 UC Graduate Student Well-being Survey show that 23 percent of Berkeley graduate students lack consistent access to nutritious foods. If you find yourself needing assistance over the winter break (or at any time of year), some options for you are shown below. UC Berkeley Food Pantry The UC Berkeley Food Pantry is located in Room 68 in the MLK Student Union and provides emergency food relief for UC Berkeley community members who may be experiencing food insecurity — whether it is skipping meals or worrying about being able to afford groceries. For Fall 2018, they’ve set up specific Grad Hours on Thursdays from 2 to 7 pm and Saturdays from 1 to 3pm. For more information and up-to-date hours, please see the Food Pantry website. Financial Aid & Scholarships Graduate and professional students may be eligible for the Food Assistance Program, which helps students who have exhausted all other funding options to meet their short-term needs. Students awarded through this program may be required to submit additional information, attend a one-on-one financial counseling session to explore additional aid options, and/or develop a spending plan. CalFresh Enrollment Clinics Students may be eligible for CalFresh benefits, which provide food dollars each month to buy fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and other healthy foods. Benefits are distributed to a special EBT card that can be used like a debit card at many of the major chain grocery stores, including Costco and Trader Joe’s. The Berkeley Student Food Collective also takes EBT. The Basic Needs Coalition hosts an enrollment clinic every Friday with an outreach specialist to assist students in the enrollment process. Sign up for a clinic here or apply directly. University Health Services What’s Eating You? is UHS’s nutrition section with tips for healthy eating habits, positive body image, and eating on a budget. UHS collaborates annually with the Centers for Educational Equity and Excellence to compile a winter break resource list, providing information on low-cost grocery options and eat-out meals, free meals in the community, and UC Berkeley Food Pantry and Cal Dining hours.