No fridge, no perishables.
That’s the reality for the school’s food pantry.
The lack of refrigeration prevents the pantry from accepting items that might spoil and keeps them from potentially partnering with EveryTable to provide students with leftover, pre-made bowls. Because of this, it only accepts items that are canned, dried or pre-packaged as non perishable.
Adding a refrigeration system would require a new permit and designation from the county that would allow it to supply perishable foods, according to Ayran Frangelo, the assistant dean of wellness and engagement.
Monica Rutkowski, marketing coordinator for Everytable, was asked whether there have been discussions to have the campus restaurant donate to the pantry. She said she didn’t know of any but said Everytable was “certainly open to that discussion.” She added if meals were donated there would be about “50 to 100 per week.”
“The food pantry serves an average of 150 students per week” and “offers pre-selected and pre-filled bags of non perishable food items for students to pick up,” according to the school’s website.
“I think it’s better to have dry items, just cause you don’t know what a person’s living situation [is],” said Cal State LA student Rebekah Galvan. “If they don’t have a refrigerator at home or…it just happens to be broken, then they won’t have anywhere to store it, it’ll go to waste.”
Galvan visited the pantry with fellow student Kathy Mesa. Mesa was open to the idea of having a refrigeration system in the pantry, but still acknowledged how convenient the existing items in the pantry are.
“I personally wouldn’t mind [refrigerated items] because sometimes I forget to bring lunch,” said Mesa. “Maybe they’d have something I could eat really quick, but definitely having non refrigerated items is easy for us.”
Frangelo said the idea of a refrigerator has been discussed, but logistically, it is not feasible.
“While we have considered this option, our current space cannot accommodate the size of the refrigerator needed to serve the number of students that we currently support,” Frangelo stated in an email. He continued, “The Food Pantry’s main objective is battling food insecurity on campus and we will continue to explore ways of expanding food options for our students.”
The pantry is located in the University Student Union, Room 308E. Donations can be dropped off on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 1p.m. and 3p.m. to 5 p.m, and distribution service days are Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
