Western Pantry: a lifeline for students

Pictured from left to right: Student Community Program Coordinator Ms Miranda Zhang, Vice-Chancellor Distinguished Professor George Williams AO and student, Richard Xu.

Western Sydney University is helping students start the semester strong with its food security initiatives, including the re-opening of the Western Pantry at the Kingswood campus every Wednesday.

Since it began, Western Pantry initiatives across our campus network have had more than 3,400 visits, giving over 800 students access to fresh produce, pantry staples and hygiene products at no cost.

Student Community Program Coordinator Ms Miranda Zhang highlights the work the University’s Student Community and Food Security team are undertaking to ensure students are well nourished and able to tackle their studies.

“Western Pantry builds on existing initiatives that we have at the University. Our range of food security programs ensure our students can access healthy and nutritious meals throughout the week,” said Ms Zhang.

“This year we have 9 student casual employees, 3 student clubs and 8 community partners and Chaplains working with our Student Community and Food Security team to deliver more than 14,000 dinners, over 9,000 servings of breakfasts, and assist the Pantry to hand out groceries to students throughout the year.

“Importantly, these initiatives also provide an opportunity for students to engage with others on campus, either by socialising at the community dinners, breakfasts or pantry, or by becoming more involved and working as a student casual.”

Student casual, Richard Xu, worked at the pop-up pantry that took over the Parramatta South campus during Welcome Week, after having discovered the pantry as a student user.

“My first thought when I heard the University was offering the pantry was that initiatives like this help international and domestic students who may be facing financial challenges have access to the basics, like groceries,” said Richard.

“Western Pantry helps students focus on their studies and helps personal development without the stress of having food shortage.”

“Apart from working at Western Pantry, I also volunteer by cooking at our community dinners and breakfasts, whether it be a hot cooked meal, a cheese and tomato toastie or a couple of pancakes.”

Over 100 students visited the pop-up, accessing grocery items to help them get off on the right foot this semester.

Fresh produce grown in our state-of-the art glasshouse at the Hawkesbury campus, including cucumbers, eggplants, capsicums and chillies, are donated to the pantry (opens in a new window) throughout the year.

Further produce and eggs are sourced from Good and Fugly, and three local farms (Urbavore, Mountains Gourmet and Kanimbla Valley farm), with other staples purchased from supermarkets.

The Western Pantry at the Kingswood campus will re-open every Wednesday during the Autumn and Spring sessions from 9am-1pm, starting from the first week of semester on Wednesday, 5 March 2025.

Western Pantry is Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) funded with the Student Community Food Security Programs (opens in a new window) team overseeing the coordination and logistics of the pantry. Volunteers help stock shelves and student casuals are employed to assist with QR code check ins and other tasks during operational hours.

In addition to initiatives provided through SSAF, students have access to a comprehensive range of services at the University, including welfare, counselling, and wellbeing support (opens in a new window).

ENDS

28 February 2025

Lauren Coskerie, Senior Media Officer

Photo credit: Wendy Chung