Food Assistance
UCSF offers a variety of food resources to students. All UCSF students may access the following programs below.
Student Food Market at UCSF
Every Thursday, the Student Food Market offers a variety of fresh produce and other healthy staples, free of charge, to UCSF students. The Student Food Market is open to all current fee-paying students at Parnassus and Mission Bay.
Visit the Student Food Market page for more information.
The Pantry
Basic Needs for Students operates two emergency food relief supply rooms stocked with non-perishable foods and toiletries for students. Students may access The Pantry with their UCSF ID seven days a week (except on Thursdays during the Student Food Market) Take what you need, need what you take.
Mission Bay Location
Inside Mission Hall 1300
Parnassus Location
Outside the Student Success Center Millberry Union 100
Reach out to Basic Needs for Students ([email protected]) with any accessibility needs and questions.
CalFresh Program
- Government-funded food assistance program that issues monthly electronic benefits that can be used to buy most foods at many markets and food stores
- Some students are eligible to receive up to $281 per month in benefits
- See the CalFresh Student Guide for application instructions and eligibility details
- The online application takes only about 10 minutes to complete
- If you have questions regarding eligibility or assistance with Federal Work Study verification documents, please contact Student Financial Services
Food4UCSF Students Text Messages
- Sign up to receive an alert on your cell phone when there is free food available after catered events on campus
- If you have a food allergy or dietary restrictions, please be cautious when using this service - food may not always be labeled, and providers cannot guarantee the absence of any common allergens in the food offered
- If you are a UCSF event organizer, please be encouraged to register as a food provider
Budget Bites
Get a great deal on your next meal with Budget Bites, a tasty entrée for just $4.50. Available at Moffitt Café & (Parnassus Hospital) and Shorenstein Family Café & Express (Mission Bay Hospital). Meals can be found inside the cafes or in the fresh vending machines afterhours.
See more community food resources.