Montclair State University to Open New Food Pantry on Bloomfield Campus

Montclair State University has been awarded a $52,500 Hunger-Free Campus Grant from the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE), strengthening the University’s commitment to addressing student food insecurity. The funding will establish a new on-campus food pantry for Bloomfield College students and support a series of free monthly farmers markets open to students on both campuses beginning in February.

The Bloomfield campus pantry – made possible through this grant – will be outfitted with essential infrastructure, including a freezer, refrigerator, shelving, and an initial stock of nonperishable and refrigerated goods. Grant dollars will also sustain monthly replenishment to ensure students have consistent access to nutritious items throughout the academic year. The pantry will be open to Bloomfield College students, faculty and staff.

“Bloomfield is a Predominantly Black Institution, and our students have unique needs that must be reflected in the pantry here – from textured-hair products to culturally familiar foods,” says Frances Jelks-Brown, Assistant Director of Student Access to Community Services. “Traveling to Montclair for essentials can mean long waits and multiple shuttles, all while already hungry. We need to be where our students are, and we want them to feel Montclair and Bloomfield are one school, one community, one love.”

In partnership with Gourmet Dining, the grant will additionally fund monthly free farmers markets at Montclair State University and Bloomfield College, offering students fresh, locally sourced produce at no cost. This effort complements Montclair’s existing Farm Box program, which offers weekly boxes of regional produce and recipe inspiration, further expanding student access to seasonal ingredients.

A portion of the new OSHE funding will also enhance the Red Hawk Pantry’s operations, support the University’s shuttle transportation to ShopRite, provide emergency ShopRite gift cards to students, and help advance ongoing research on food insecurity at Montclair.

Montclair State University’s Ongoing Commitment to a Hunger-Free Campus

The new Bloomfield campus food pantry builds on Montclair’s long-standing efforts to reduce food insecurity. Montclair launched the Red Hawk Pantry in April 2016, in response to national and campus-level research showing that nearly half of college students experience some form of food insecurity.

Today, the University supports students through a wide range of programs, including:

• Red Hawk Pantry – providing free food, hygiene items, and household essentials
• Shuttle service to nearby supermarkets, including locations that accept SNAP benefits
• Food Champion Program, which redistributes leftovers from catered campus events to students on a first-come, first-served basis
• Campus Community Garden, supplying fresh produce directly to Red Hawk Pantry
• Swipe Out Hunger, a national initiative enabling students to donate unused meal swipes to peers in need

“If you don’t eat, how are you supposed to study?” says Jelks-Brown. “No student should ever have to choose between their education and a meal. These supports exist because we care about more than just our students’ education – we care about them as whole people.”

About OSHE’s Hunger-Free Campus Grants

This marks Montclair State University’s fourth award under the Hunger-Free Campus Act. This year, OSHE awarded a total of $1.2 million to 36 higher education institutions across New Jersey to strengthen on-campus supports such as food pantries, outreach programs, and SNAP navigation resources.

Ready to Start Your Montclair Journey?

Prospective students: Learn more about Montclair’s efforts to ensure a Hunger-Free campus and explore all of our delicious dining options.

Journalists: Contact Montclair’s Media Relations team for assets or to schedule an interview on this topic.