As food prices continue to rise students have been feeling the cost of living crisis more than ever. Launched in April last year the Food Pantry has been a vital resource in the University's ongoing commitment to support students’ well-being. The Pantry offers a range of products, from nutritious food options, personal hygiene, and cleaning products to cupboard staples. Partnering with UoL Sustainability, Facilities, and Catering they provide free period products and redistribute free good food that would normally go to landfill.
Funded by the University, the Food Pantry is open every Wednesday from 14:00 pm to 18:00 pm and students are welcome to choose ten grocery and household items for £3.50 per week. The Pantry provides a variety of food suitable for breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals as well as the essentials such as pasta, rice, tinned goods, cereal, and bread. To provide students the support they deserve the Pantry also offers free items such as period products, fruits, and vegetables. All the items provided by the Pantry are sourced either from Bidfood, the University catering supplier, Tesco, the Queen of Greens, and the Alchemic Kitchen.
Since September 2023, the Pantry has had 987 visits and has supported 190 students. Project Officer, Clodagh Dunne, said: ”We work on a referral basis from staff to identify students who are struggling financially and considered to be in food poverty. Originally, we had a self-referral form in place but after one year of operating, we felt like we weren’t reaching the hardest-hit groups. We re-evaluated the project implementing staff only referral basis, and we are already noticing a great improvement in reaching more vulnerable students. These referrals can be submitted by the student support services, lecturers, Learning & Teaching Support Officer, etc.”
With more and more students facing increased financial pressures, the demand for additional support is on the rise. Located in the Food Pantry, Money Coaches provides drop-in sessions offering a safe space for discussing financial worries, money advice, and budgeting, or just a friendly chat.
The Food Pantry is designed to provide much-needed support to students experiencing food insecurity. If you would like to find out how you can support students in need, please visit our Student Fund webpage.
If you would like to find out more information on how Liverpool is supporting its students please see here, or to keep up to date with the Pantry's progress follow the team on Instagram: @livunimoneycoaches.