Shelves filled with fresh produce, bread loaves, and assorted pastries are stocked for students at the Buff Pantry in the UMC basement on Feb. 25, 2025. (Hayden Chedid/ CU Independent)
For many University of Colorado Boulder students, keeping the fridge stocked has become an increasingly difficult endeavor as grocery prices continue to rise nationwide.
With bird flu and supply chain disruptions pushing costs even higher, affording basic staples is becoming a challenge. For students feeling the pinch, the Buff Pantry is here to help.
The Buff Pantry, managed by the Basic Needs Center, provides free food and personal care items to CU Boulder students in need. Located in the University Memorial Center basement in room 1B73, the pantry offers fresh produce, frozen and refrigerated goods, shelf-stable items and essential hygiene products. Any enrolled CU student — undergraduate or graduate —can visit once per week by making an appointment.
Maddie Atuire, senior coordinator for “Feed the Stampede” at the Basic Needs Center, reported that demand for the Buff Pantry has surged substantially over the past few years.
“Between the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic years, the amount of food distributed and the number of student visits to the Buff Pantry increased by more than 130%,” Atuire said. “Students are also visiting the pantry more frequently than in previous years.”
This increase in demand comes as food-at-home costs, including essentials like dairy, meat and produce, are expected to rise by 3.3% in 2025. With inflation already squeezing student budgets, the Buff Pantry remains a reliable source of support.
What’s Available at the Buff Pantry?
The Buff Pantry sources the majority of its inventory from Community Food Share, a local food bank serving Boulder and Broomfield counties. Through partnerships with vendors, grant funding and donations, the pantry also provides fresh produce, dairy, spices and dry goods.
“We receive two weekly deliveries, but by the end of the day, our shelves are often cleared out,” Atuire said. “Students most frequently request fresh produce, dairy products, and protein, but availability depends on our inventory.”
Beyond food, the pantry supplies personal care items such as menstrual products, toothpaste, shampoo and razors — essentials that can be costly on a student budget.
Even as many grocery stores see rising costs, some budget-friendly options remain. Trader Joe’s, for example, has kept egg prices lower than many competitors by buying directly from suppliers, making it a popular choice for students trying to save on essentials. Still, for those facing food insecurity, the Buff Pantry provides a crucial safety net beyond what grocery stores can offer.
Cartons of eggs are stocked at Sprouts Farmers Market in Boulder, Colo., on Feb. 25, 2025. (Hayden Chedid/ CU Independent)
Addressing Food Insecurity on Campus
Hannah Wilks, interim assistant dean of students, imparted that food insecurity among college students is often misunderstood.
“One common misconception is that students are supposed to eat cheap and easy meals such as ramen, pasta, oatmeal and other foods that, on their own, don’t necessarily provide the full nutritional support our bodies need,” Wilks said.
This expectation can discourage students from seeking help, reinforcing the idea that struggling with food access is just part of the college experience. “We want to make food accessible and offer our pantry to any enrolled student who wants to make an appointment,” she said.
The Buff Pantry isn’t a long-term solution but a stepping stone toward greater food security. The Basic Needs Center also helps students access other resources, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and community food programs.
Supporting the Buff Pantry
For students who want to help, there are multiple ways to support the Buff Pantry:
- Volunteer: Assist with organizing the pantry, giving tours, information collection, food distribution and more.
- Donate Food: Students can contribute nonperishable food items directly to the pantry or shop the Buff Pantry’s Amazon wish list.
- Swipe It Forward: Each semester, CU Boulder students can donate unused meal swipes to help those in need. While the spring semester event has passed, another opportunity will be available in the fall.
- Raise Awareness: Student groups can organize donation drives or spread the word about the pantry’s services.
For students looking to stretch their grocery budget, the Basic Needs Center offers tips for grocery shopping on a budget, as well as workshops on nutrition, money management and well-being. Additionally, the upcoming Ralphie’s Cooking Basics events will teach students how to prepare nutritious meals on a budget.
With food prices continuing to rise, the Buff Pantry remains a critical resource for CU Boulder students. Whether students need support or want to give back, the pantry provides an essential service in the fight against food insecurity on campus.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Hayden Chedid at Hayden.Chedid@colorado.edu
