Food Resources

As food insecurity increasingly becomes a concern on our campus and beyond, the Sustainable Future DeCal would like to highlight resources available for our students and community to access healthy, affordable, and sustainable food.

Free & Affordable Food

Cal Fresh (SNAP)

CalFresh, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provides eligible students with a pre-loaded EBT debit card (up to $192/month) that can be used at most major chain grocery stores, Costco, as well as the Berkeley Student Food Collective and Bear Market, located in Unit 3.

Weekly Application Clinics are held @ MLK BNorth, but you can also apply online on your own.

UC Berkeley Food Pantry

The UCB food pantry is located in MLK bNorth (basement) and provides free fresh and non-perishable foods to UC Berkeley students & staff.

The UC Berkeley Food Pantry:

Runs on community donations (dining halls, bakeries, farms, local businesses, etc.) and student volunteers
Allows students who visit to "take what you need, as often as you need it"
Encourages visitors to bring their own reusable shopping and produce bags

Berkeley City Food Pantry

The City of Berkeley Food Pantry is located on 1600 Sacramento St. and is open MWF 2-4PM. They provide free fresh and non-perishable foods to Berkeley and Albany residents.

The Berkeley City Food Pantry:

Runs on individual donors and community volunteers
Requires you to bring an ID and any proof of Berkeley or Albany residence
Encourages visitors to bring their own reusable shopping and produce bags

Good and Cheap: $4/Day Cookbook

This cookbook was developed to fit the needs of people living on SNAP (CalFresh benefits). SNAP funds are only sufficient to provide $4 per person, per day to spend on food. As many college students live under similar or same constraints, we hope that some of our students can benefit from its inclusion here. Click the photo for a downloadable PDF!

good-and-cheap.pdf

Food Waste Reduction: Imperfect Produce

Imperfect Produce delivers "ugly" fruits and vegetables to cities across the United States for up to 30% less than grocery prices. You can buy customizable boxes of produce and other foods (like eggs or almonds!) for below-market prices.

More than 20% of fruits and vegetables never make it off the farm because they are deemed not good enough for grocery store standards in the Western world. Regardless of their outer appearances, these oddly shaped foods are equally as healthy and tasty as their perfect counterparts. Imperfect Produce works to alleviate the food waste problem by selling misshapen foods rather than throwing them away.

From Zero Waste Home:

Home - Berkeley Food Institute

Berkeley Food Institute (BFI)

"The Berkeley Food Institute at the University of California, Berkeley seeks to transform food systems to expand access to healthy, affordable food and promote sustainable and equitable food production. We empower new leaders with capacities to cultivate diverse, just, resilient, and healthy food systems. We pursue our mission through interdisciplinary programs in education, research, policy, communications, and community engagement."

Bulk Shopping

Through a community-made map, the Bulk App offers the global locations of bulk stores for produce, pet food, dried goods, alcohol, personal care, and more.

Bulk App: Find package-free food & goods worldwide!

Fillgood: A refill center for packaging-free bath, body, and home products.

Fillgood offers the ability to refill a variety of different products through their in-person store in Albany and through eco-conscious delivery for Bay Area residents.

Berkeley Bowl - largest selection of bulk in the city!

2 locations (South and West Berkeley)

Whole Foods

2 locations (South and Northwest Berkeley)

Sprouts

1 location (UC Village/Albany)

Natural Grocery Company

2 locations (Northwest Berkeley and El Cerrito)

*All listed locations should accept EBT cards from CA

Farmer's Markets

For those receiving CalFresh benefits, EBT is always accepted at Ecology Center farmers’ markets. Customers who are currently enrolled in CalFresh can also receive a dollar-for-dollar match up to $10 at any of the Ecology Center farmers’ markets.

Weekly markets in:

Downtown Berkeley
South Berkeley
North Berkeley
El Cerrito
Many more

Find the nearest market using Ecology Center Farmer's Market Finder to the left!

Local Eateries

Piloted by the Ecology Center

Vessel Reusable Cup Service

Because coffee cups are mixed materials (paper and plastic) we cannot recycle them. To avoid this waste, check out a reusable stainless steel mug for free at any of the participating locations to avoid.

Vessel works like a library book system where customers check out a cup by scanning a QR code on the cup at participating cafes. Once returned, a Vessel bicycle pedicab takes it to a sanitizing/washing station and delivers it back to the cafes for reuse. You will only be charged if you do not return the mug and lid to any of the locations within 5 days.

To sign up, visit VesselWorks.

On-Campus

Bring a reusable cup to any Peet's on campus and receive 50 cents off each drink, and every 5th coffee free!

GBC

Package-free pastries, fruit, and coffee on tap.

Cub Market

Bulk snacks. Located in Foothill Dining Commons.

Cafe Think

Bulk snacks, reusable dishware, and kombucha and beer on tap.

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