Pratt is committed to addressing food insecurity through direct impact and the sharing of community resources. See below for places to find free or discounted food, community organizations, and tips to save money and limit food waste. If you are experiencing inconsistent access to food due to financial, dietary, or time constraints, please contact healthpromotion@pratt.edu for assistance.
Campus Food Resources
- The Pratt Pantry is located in East Hall 010 on the Brooklyn campus and is stocked with shelf stable and fresh food for students to obtain at no charge. To learn more about the Pantry, go here: https://www.pratt.edu/resources/pratt-pantry/
- Farm to Campus is a weekly produce market on the Brooklyn campus where students, faculty, and staff can obtain 10-15lbs of fruits and vegetables for $14, sourced by our partners at GrowNYC. To learn more about Farm to Campus, go here: https://www.pratt.edu/resources/farm-to-campus/
- Community members on the Manhattan campus are welcome to participate in the same program through our partners at Grow NYC, called Fresh Food Box. Find your local pick up here: https://www.grownyc.org/freshfoodbox
- The Manhattan campus has a Micromart on the 7th floor stocked with food and beverages that can be accessed using your Pratt ID at any time. The Resilience, Wellness, and Well-Being Center has partnered with Student Involvement to pilot a mobile food pantry for PMC students. Contact healthpromotion@pratt.edu for information on how to access.
- Use Share Meals to find or notify students of leftover food after events and programs to minimize food waste. Share Meals can be accessed via your browser or as an app, log in using your OneKey. https://sharemeals.org/ Contact involvement@pratt.edu with any questions or concerns.
- The Courtesy Meals program is available for students to receive a limited number of Pratt Bucks to combat food insecurity. Click this link to apply; approvals will be granted on a case by case basis.
Options In And Near New York City
- The NYC Neighborhood Food Resource Guide connects community members in need with food resources, regardless of age, income or immigration status. Click on the link to find options near you: https://www.nycfoodpolicy.org/coronavirus-nyc-food-reports/?utm_source=Coronavirus+NYC+Neighborhood+Food+Resource+Guides
Local and National Options
- Food Help NYC lists pantries and soup kitchens across the five boroughs. https://finder.nyc.gov/foodhelp
- GrowNYC runs year-long food access programs like the Greenmarket farmers markets and Fresh Food Box to facilitate consistent access to nutritious and affordable food. See their programs here: https://www.grownyc.org/
- Local food banks have increased their capacity to accommodate the increased need for services. These amazing organizations are committed to serving people facing food insecurity long-term or those recently affected by the changes due to illness, injury, financial shifts, and more. Depending on where you go, you can find a variety of options including hot food, cold food, non-perishables, and produce. Feeding America is a non-profit with a network of food banks across the country. Find a local food bank here: https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank
- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that provides funds to help people purchase food from local sources. Eligibility criteria is slim but anyone experiencing food insecurity is welcome to apply to see if they qualify: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/students
- Pratt community members get free GrubHub+ and can save on delivery fees. Log in using your OneKey to start saving today. Contact reslife@pratt.edu with any questions or concerns.
Save Money And Shop Smarter
- Shop safely. The COVID-19 emergency declaration may have ended but COVID and other illnesses are still prevalent, especially during colder months. Try to keep a respectful physical distance from others, wear a mask if you’re feeling sick, and wash your hands after you put your groceries away.
- Make a list. Go in prepared and if you can, do not go hungry.
- Look for coupons! Most markets have a flyer in the front of the store with sales and specials. Sign up for their discount program and find coupons on your phone.
- Buy filling food that can work as a base for different recipes. Rice (brown or white), Eggs, Pasta, Oats, Bread, and Lentils can be made into radically different dishes depending on how you prepare them and you don’t need a lot to feel full. Quinoa is a bit pricier but a little bit goes a long way.
- Buy food that will last. Many of the items above will last a long time in your pantry. Look for canned/shelf-stable non-perishable items or frozen food over fresh items.
- If you eat meat, chicken breasts tend to be more affordable than some other options. Chicken breast is easy to cook, can be seasoned many ways, and can be frozen to be eaten later.
- Some fresh fruit and vegetables can last a long time if you store them correctly. Check this handy guide to make your food last.
- Buy items that can go together. Instead of buying items for individual recipes, think about what items you can use more than once.
Eliminate Food Waste
Only buy what you need and be thoughtful about your purchases so the food is used before it goes bad. Speaking of, understand the difference between a “sell by” and “best by” date so you don’t throw away good food. According to the United States Department of Agriculture:
- “Best if Used By/Before” date indicates when a product will be of best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
- A “Sell-By” date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date.
- A “Use-By” date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date except for when used on infant formula as described below.
- A “Freeze-By” date indicates when a product should be frozen to maintain peak quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.