Between the inflating prices of subway fares to groceries, the cost of living in New York has increased substantially, and for college students, this is not good news. Especially during the pandemic, rates of food security had plummeted, leaving many students feeling as though they’re drowning in the living expenses of NYC. The solution, however, lies right past the West Building Subway Entrance at Hunter College. This solution, founded by Hunter President Ann Kirschner, is called the “Purple Apron Food Pantry”, and it houses the food essentials you would find at your local bodega, but free of charge.
The Purple Apron Food Pantry was founded by Ann Kirschner as a way of combating food insecurity. This describes students who do not feel that they have a reliable source for their dietary necessities, and as of 2022, 40% of CUNY students suffer from it (NYC Food Policy). This is why it is so imperative that the pantry is accessible and resourceful. According to the Hunter College Website, there is one location in room B103 (located just a few steps down the hall from the West building subway entrance), one in the main lobby of the Hunter Brookdale campus, and even a mobile service called the “Hunter Fresh Food Box Program”. The Purple Apron Food Pantry is available to all CUNY students, no matter what their income is or whether they qualify for federal food assistance. The Hunter Fresh Food Box Program, however, is only available to Hunter students currently.
I visited the food pantry one day after my morning class, and around 10am. As of Fall 2023, the Hunter location is open three days a week (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9am-2pm), and was open throughout the summer as well. The Brookdale campus pantry is open three nights a week, in the evenings. As for the delivery/food box program, there is no available information regarding its hours as of now. I found that the pantry was a little difficult to locate, as there weren’t many signs that would direct students to the location. However, upon entering it, I found it to be very organized and had a thorough selection. There was a nice range of products, including canned goods, dairy and non dairy products, and different cereals.
Through an article published by Fox 5 NY, entitled “Hunter College’s Purple Apron Pantry: Providing Food Security beyond the Classroom”, I was informed that the pantry is restocked twice a month, through their partners at the food bank of New York (Russo). I discovered that students could also inquire about federal benefits, like SNAP, through discussing with a worker at the front desk. I didn’t take any food, but I asked the desk administrator what the process looked like, and he responded by simply saying that you can grab food of your choice and leave.
Through discussion with my classmates, I also realized that there were very few people that realized that the pantry existed. It seems that the pantry needs more publicity and advertisement across the Hunter campus to allow more students to be aware of it. Considering the staggering rates of food insecurity and the rising costs of living in New York, the food pantry could be a very well utilized resource once students become more aware of it.
Works Cited
Barron, James. “A Food Pantry That Keeps Hunger at Bay for Needy College Students.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 14 Aug. 2023, www.nytimes.com/2023/08/14/nyregion/newyorktoday/food-pantry-college-students.html.
Editor, NYC Food Policy. “Hunter College President Hosts CUNY Chancellor and Food Bank for NYC CEO on Purple Apron Food Pantry Tour.” NYC Food Policy Center (Hunter College), 2 Aug. 2023, www.nycfoodpolicy.org/hunter-college-president-cuny-chancellor-food-bank-nyc-president-tour-purple-apron-food-pantry/#:~:text=The%20Hunter%20College%2068th%20Street,1%20pm%20to%206%20pm).
“Emergency Support and Resources: Hunter College.” Hunter College |, 21 Sept. 2023, hunter.cuny.edu/students/health-wellness/emergency-support-resources/.
“Health & Support: Hunter College.” Hunter College |, 6 Sept. 2023, hunter.cuny.edu/students/health-wellness/.
Russo, Christine. “Hunter College’s Purple Apron Pantry: Providing Food Security beyond the Classroom.” FOX 5 New York, FOX 5 New York, 16 Aug. 2023, www.fox5ny.com/news/hunter-colleges-purple-apron-pantry-providing-food-security-beyond-the-classroom.
