Pratt is committed to addressing food insecurity through direct impact and the sharing of community resources. See below for places to find free or discounted food, community organizations, and tips to save money and limit food waste. If you are experiencing inconsistent access to food due to financial, dietary, or time constraints, please contact healthpromotion@pratt.edu for assistance.
Campus Food Resources
- The Pratt Pantry is located in East Hall 010 on the Brooklyn campus and is stocked with shelf stable and fresh food for students to obtain at no charge. To learn more about the Pantry, go here: https://www.pratt.edu/resources/pratt-pantry/
- Program currently on summer hiatus. Will resume in September 2024. Farm to Campus is a weekly produce market on the Brooklyn campus where students, faculty, and staff can obtain 10-15lbs of fruits and vegetables for $14, sourced by our partners at GrowNYC. To learn more about Farm to Campus, go here: https://www.pratt.edu/resources/farm-to-campus/
- Community members on the Manhattan campus are welcome to participate in the same program through our partners at Grow NYC, called Farmstand. Find your local pick up here: https://www.grownyc.org/farmstands
- The Manhattan campus has a Micromart on the 7th floor stocked with food and beverages that can be accessed using your Pratt ID at any time. The Resilience, Wellness, and Well-Being Center has partnered with Student Involvement to pilot a mobile food pantry for PMC students. Contact healthpromotion@pratt.edu for information on how to access.
- The Courtesy Meals program is available for students to receive a limited number of Pratt Bucks to combat food insecurity. Click this link to apply; approvals will be granted on a case by case basis.
- Use Share Meals to find or notify students of leftover food after events and programs to minimize food waste. Share Meals can be accessed via your browser or as an app, log in using your OneKey. https://sharemeals.org/ Contact involvement@pratt.edu with any questions or concerns.
Options In And Near New York City
- The NYC Neighborhood Food Resource Guide connects community members in need with food resources, regardless of age, income or immigration status. Click on the link to find options near you: https://www.nycfoodpolicy.org/coronavirus-nyc-food-reports/?utm_source=Coronavirus+NYC+Neighborhood+Food+Resource+Guides
Eliminate Food Waste
Only buy what you need and be thoughtful about your purchases so the food is used before it goes bad. Speaking of, understand the difference between a “sell by” and “best by” date so you don’t throw away good food. According to the United States Department of Agriculture:
- “Best if Used By/Before” date indicates when a product will be of best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
- A “Sell-By” date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date.
- A “Use-By” date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date except for when used on infant formula as described below.
- A “Freeze-By” date indicates when a product should be frozen to maintain peak quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.