The University of Texas at San Antonio is combatting food insecurity through local sourcingThe University of Texas at San Antonio is combatting food insecurity through local sourcing

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has a new initiative to help support diners impacted by food insecurity while also promoting local sourcing. To that end the dining team, which is managed by Aramark, has launched the Farm-Fresh Box program, which offers free food that is fresh and locally sourced. This effort came to fruition through a partnership with USTA Dining and The Common Market Texas, a food distributor in the area.

“With this program, we’re able to bring produce directly from farmers to the student community at UTSA,” said Hallie Casey, director of partnerships for The Common Market, in a statement. “By knowing your farmer and where your food comes from, we can guarantee you're getting the freshest food possible and the food that's going to be the most nutritious for you. It’s been a pleasure partnering with UTSA and Aramark to make this happen.”

Another player involved in the partnership is the campus food pantry, the Roadrunner Pantry, which provides food and supplies to diners on campus who are struggling with food insecurity. USTA dining teamed up with the pantry to ensure distribution would directly benefit the community.

“The Roadrunner Pantry serves anyone on campus facing food insecurity,” said Zach Marcotte, Roadrunner Pantry Program manager. “Having access to fresh produce like this is invaluable. For many students, this might be the first time they’ve cooked with items like butter lettuce, okra or kale. It’s an exciting way to introduce them to new foods while supporting their health and well-being.”

The Farm-Fresh boxes come packed with 10 pounds of seasonal produce from local Texas farms, the first shipment of boxes came in November and some students have expressed how the boxes have helped them.

“Financially, things have been tight, and getting groceries isn’t always easy. It’s been a really big relief being able to come to the pantry to receive food and household items for free. Programs like this make such a big difference, and I greatly appreciate UTSA for having such an opportunity that's freely available to everybody,” said Josiah James, a UTSA student.

For the team involved in the initiative, their efforts go beyond just providing food and instead aims to combat food insecurity, foster community and support local farmers.

“We’re so grateful to The Common Market Texas, UTSA Dining and The Roadrunner Pantry for making this program a reality,” said Stephanie Edgett, associate director of Campus Services. “Resources like this create a tangible, positive impact on our campus, and we’re excited to see how it continues to grow.”