With students skipping meals and missing out on social activities to save money, access to healthy and nutritious food is more important than ever before.
The latest National student money survey by Save The Student highlights that 67% of surveyed students said they skip meals at least some of the time to save money, up from 64% in 2023. The cost of living crisis is still impacting students so we want to do what we can to help you thrive at uni despite the financial barriers.
In 2022, there was a wave of students’ unions and universities that introduced food pantries and cheaper meal options on campus, including Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union.
If you don’t know, The SU stocks a “pantry” at Penryn Campus outside The SU. It is restocked weekly with dried food, tins and jars to help you with making nutritious meals when you may be running low on money either while waiting for your loan to arrive or your wages from working part-time.
Any student is welcome to approach the shelves and select items you need. All we ask is that everyone using the pantry is mindful that it is a shared student community resource so you only take what you need.
We saw the Penryn Campus pantry being used prolifically by students with over 249kg of pasta, 239 packets of rice, 384 tins of baked beans, and 965 tins of vegetables feeding students over the 2023/24 academic year.
Recognising the importance of this resource for our student community, we have now introduced a pantry at Falmouth Campus near the art shop and are exploring options for a pantry at Truro Campus.
Student feedback helps us show that the pantry helps to keep you happy at uni so please take time to complete our short form, email The SU, or come in and chat to us.
Penryn Campus Pantry
This pantry is situated outside The SU at Penryn Campus. The SU is opposite the Stannary, there is a mural painted on the wall outside The SU.
This pantry is restocked weekly and offers some gluten free alternatives.
Falmouth Campus Pantry
The Falmouth Campus pantry is situated near the art shop and Fox Café. This pantry is restocked weekly.
Truro Campus Pantry
We’re currently exploring appropriate places and feasibility for the Truro Campus pantry. If you have thoughts on where it should be, please let us know!