Food Resources
Schedule an Appointment
If you have questions or would like additional support, please contact Gina Ebbeling to make an appointment.
What is Food Security?
Food insecurity is when people can’t access the food they need to live their fullest lives (Feeding America). According to a survey across WA State 39 colleges and universities in 2022, 4 out of 10 students (38.3%) experienced food insecurity in the last 30 days. We believe that all students should have equitable access to quality, nutritious food.
Food Resources
On Campus
The Student Emergency Food Fund offered through Financial Aid can assist students with food costs that create a barrier to pursuing educational goals. Approved requests give funds to use for food on campus. Requests can me made through Financial Aid.
Students who work at least 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month, or who have accepted work study on campus, or who have dependents may be eligible for food assistance, also known as SNAP. The Basic Needs hub can assist students with applications Friday during the quarter from 11-2pm in VU 420 or by meeting with the basic needs resource navigator, Gina Ebbeling. We have workshops and events throughout each quarter that assist students in applying and understanding the process. See our events page for more information.
Food Pantries
Students are welcome to visit campus food pantries as needed. Each pantry is run independently ay vary depending on size. The WHOLE pantry in the Viking Union is consistently stocked each week and offers other basic need necessities toiletries.
- VU WHOLE Pantry (located in Viking Union 435)*Consistently stocked Monday-Friday
- Fairhaven College Pantry (located on the 3rd floor of Fairhaven College)
- CEED Food Pantry (located in Miller Hall 150H)
- Journalism Pantry (located in Communications Facility 257)
- Linguistics Department Pantry (located in Bond Hall 403)
- Sociology Food Pantry (located in Arntzen Hall 510)
- Parks Hall Pantry (located in Parks Hall 045)
Located near Fairhaven, students can apply for a garden plot and grow their own food. The Outback also donates produce to the campus food pantries during the summer.
Viva Farms provides veggie/fruit boxes (Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA” S) to students and staff on a sliding scale. You can also use SNAP/EBT to purchase your CSA. Use the link to submit your application and eat fresh all summer and fall. Pick up is conveniently located on campus in High Street Hall.
Off Campus
Conveniently located in downtown Bellingham near the Railroad Ave bus terminal, students can visit the food bank 3 times a week and stock up on staple items. Home delivery and drive through options as well. Located at 1824 Ellis Street in Bellingham.
There are food banks and meal programs throughout Whatcom County. You can visit and get food at no cost.
Students who meet income requirements (or other exemptions like being enrolled in work study, working 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month, or having dependents) may be eligible for food benefits. SNAP EBT cards give you money to use for groceries each month. We invite you to sit down with a staff member in the Basic Needs Hub office to complete the application and learn about the application process. We have SNAP drop in hours every Friday from 11-2pm in VU 420.
It is a community refrigerator packed with free nutritious food that is open to all! Our Freedge is a partnership of Sustainable Connections’ Food Recovery Program and The RE Store. 2316 Kulshan St. Bellingham, WA 98225 Open Monday – Saturday 10am – 6pm