College Food Insecurity

For many students, college isn't just endless meal plans, late-night study sessions, and newfound freedom. Over 30% of college students are food insecure, 56% of food-insecure students are working, 75% of food-insecure students receive financial aid through their institutions, and 43% have a meal plan (College & University Food Bank Alliance).

Indeed, food insecurity cuts across all demographic statuses, enrollment levels, and geographic locations. These stressors affect student success, impact learning, grades, and time to earn degrees. By addressing food insecurity, we also address educational needs.

UNT is addressing food insecurity among its students and is doing so with a vision of partnership and community building. UNT aims to alleviate barriers and challenges associated with food insecurity and hunger, so students can remain in school and, ultimately, earn degrees.

History of the Food Pantry at UNT

In 2015, the Dean of Students established the food pantry in a room in the Union providing an accessible on-campus food source for students in need. Later, the food pantry moved to the Diamond Eagle Student Resource Center inside a 450 square foot room in the back of Crumley Hall. A refrigerator and freezer were added by a generous donor to the food pantry in 2020 which has helped us extend a variety of food for our students.

In April 2021, Kroger presented a gift of $250,000 to help support UNT Students by renaming the UNT Food Pantry to UNT Food Pantry presented by Kroger over the next 5 years. Kroger is highly committed to Zero Hunger, Zero Waste initiative. This generous gift will help fund student worker positions in the UNT Food pantry,  and help supplement food that is needed in the pantry when donations do not cover certain needs of our students.

In 2026, Kroger renewed their gift to the pantry for another $300,000 over the next five years until 2031. In summer 2026, the UNT Food Pantry presented by Kroger and the Diamond Eagle Student Resource Center moved to our new location at 621 S. Welch St., formerly the Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life or the Greek Life Center. The Diamond Eagle Student Resource Center also rebranded to a new name, the Diamond Eagle Basic Needs Hub to better encompass the purpose of the department.

Current UNT students can visit the pantry, with protocols that allow for student confidentiality and dignity to be maintained. The food pantry helps students bridge the expense gap to have healthy and nutritious meals, allowing them to concentrate on learning.

Who It Serves

  • Any currently enrolled UNT student (undergraduate, graduate, etc). Students who visit the food pantry may request to meet with a Dean of Students staff member to discuss any difficulties they may be facing. The Dean of Students office has the ability to reach out and advocate for students to on-campus departments that may be able to help you. When appropriate, a referral to additional campus and/or community resources will be made, including the UNT Career Center, Student Money Management Center, etc. Concerns can be reported to the Dean of Students office by staff, faculty, students, community members, or even yourself through Report.unt.edu.
  • We believe in building a food pantry that serves students with all different dietary needs and we do focus on a wide variety of items. When students sign up for items in the food pantry, they can request a variety of food that may serve the following dietary needs: Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free, Lactose Intolerant, Pescatarian, Kosher and request other items. We will make every effort to see how we can help each student with their requests.
  • Students can also request items such as plasticware, laundry detergent, feminine hygiene products, toiletries, or a can opener.

Location

The UNT Food Pantry presented by Kroger is in the process of relocating to 621 S. Welch St.; read more about the move at the DESRC homepage or the food pantry homepage.

There is also a food pantry at UNT at Frisco, which can be accessed by visiting the Frisco Landing information desk or by calling 972-668-7100.

Questions

Any questions regarding the UNT Food Pantry should be directed to the address DOSFoodPantry@unt.edu.