Food Security

The USDA defines food insecurity as, "A household level condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food." 37-45% of Pokes experience food insecurity, putting them at higher risk for low GPAs, mental health challenges and high drop-out rates. In fall of 2019, the Associated Students of the University of Wyoming & the Sustainability Coalition assembled a coalition of students, faculty, staff, and administrators to plan and guide UW’s work to reduce student food insecurity. The mission of the UW Food Security Taskforce is to end student food in security at UW through a range of interrelated strategies. While student food security is our primary mission, we additionally support strategies that ultimately aim to end staff food and financial insecurity and related challenges within our broader community. In this way, our mission is to ensure that every Poke is nourished. Below are a list of resources available to students who may be struggling with food insecurity.

Food Resources

There are plenty of resources both on campus and off to make sure you have access to food. Linked here is a map where you can access free or affordable food on campus and in the Laramie community, including local convenience stores and food cabinets.

UW Food Share Pantry

The UW Food Share Pantry is available to all students and employees regardless of need. All you need is your WyoOne ID!

Where is the Pantry?

University of Wyoming, Knight Hall, Room 106.

Hours of Operation:

Monday | 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Thursday | 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Saturday | 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

How to Contribute

This is a UW community effort. For those who are interested in sharing with the UW Food Share Pantry, we welcome your contributions. You can contribute in two ways:

1) Share any non-perishable food items at one of our drop off locations - in the Wyoming Union across from the Information Desk or outside the Dean of Students Office (Knight Hall Room 128). Contributions (including perishable, refrigerated, and frozen foods) can also be made in the pantry during our hours of operations. These items are needed most:

Dry goods (i.e. rice, pasta)
Canned goods (i.e. beans, veggies, fruit, soup)
Shelf-Stable Produce (i.e. potatoes, apples, bananas)
Packaged Snacks (i.e. nuts, trail mix, granola bars)
Personal Items (i.e. toilet paper, menstrual products, toiletries)

2) Make a financial contribution anytime here. The funds raised will help us continue to purchase perishable items, including fruit, vegetables, dairy, eggs, cheese, etc. These fresh foods are essential to our goals of providing healthy food options and nourishing the members of our campus community.

Food Share Cabinets

Located across campus, food share cabinets are a student-led effort to address food insecurity. The formation of the taskforce was inspired by this student-led approach! Below are the locations of these cabinets.

ASUW Demo Food Share Cabinet, Located in the ASUW Office in the basement of the Union
Honors College Food Share Cabinet, Located in the Guthrie House
Salivation Station, Located in Visual Arts
Psychology Department, Located in the Biological Sciences building
Cheney International Center, Global Engagement Office
Bim Kendall House
Cowboy Cabinet, Corbett Building
Questions? Contact the ASUW Director of Wellness and Sustainability.
Want to start your own cabinet? Check out the Food Share Cabinet Toolkit. Visit the ASUW Demo Cabinet for more information.

Meal Swipe Sharing Program

This program is a regenerative, student-focused food sharing program, allowing students to donate their "swipes" and unused meals from previously purchased dining plans. Launching in Spring 2021, the program will start with a bank of 2,000 swipes, allowing students to apply for them as needed. Swipes are allocated based on application results on a rolling basis throughout the semester. Students are allocated a maximum of 4 swipes per week, and are recommended further resources if necessary.

Are you a student in need of meals? Meal Swipe Sharing Application

Are you a student who wants to contribute to the program? Meal Swipe Sharing Donation

Are you a community member who wants to donate? Food Security Donation

Descriptions and images courtesy of the UW Food Security Taskforce webpage on uwyo.edu