In 2023, the NMU Center for Rural Health highlighted the impactful work of the NMU Food Pantry in addressing food insecurity on campus. As a new year begins, it is an ideal time to check back in and share an update on the Pantry’s continued growth and success.
Over the past three years, the NMU Food Pantry has seen a steady increase in use among students, faculty, and staff. The Pantry now averages 215 visitors per month, with over 2,500 visitors accessing services in the past year. In one notable month of 2025, the Pantry served over 318 visitors and distributed 80 more bags of groceries than the same month in the previous year. In total, the Pantry distributed more than 25,000 pounds of food and more than $16,000 in Feeding America products in 2025.
With over 30% of undergraduate and graduate students nationwide experiencing food insecurity, the need for access to affordable, nutritious food remains significant.
Continued Improvements and Expanded Offerings
A point of pride and significant progress for the Pantry has been its ability to provide increased access to healthier food options. Recent investments—including the construction of two hoop houses, the purchase of two vertical freight farms, and the addition of new refrigerators and freezers—have greatly expanded the availability of fresh produce.
In addition to these improvements, the Pantry continues to offer a wide range of shelf-stable, nonperishable food items and a limited selection of household essentials, including silverware, plates, cups, pots, pans, paper towels, toilet paper, and a small selection of toiletries, including feminine products. These expanded offerings help ensure that the Pantry supports both nutritional needs and everyday living essentials.
Leveraging Community Partnerships
The NMU Food Pantry is managed by the NMU Food Pantry Task Force, which is housed within the Dean of Students Office and composed of volunteer faculty and staff from departments across campus. The Task Force oversees daily operations, including food ordering, donation management, and staffing, with vital support from student volunteers who help keep the Pantry running smoothly.
This work, however, would not be impossible without the continued support and partnerships of organizations at the campus, local, and national levels. This includes organizations and programs such as Ripple Effect, Jilberts, UPCAP, NMU Hoop House, the Construction Management Program, the Indoor Agriculture Program, NMU Police Department Food for Fines, Days to Girls, and Feeding America West Michigan.
Through these partnerships and grant funding from the Swipe Out Hunger Grant, the Food Pantry has supported Construction Management students in building produce islands, wash stations, and garden beds for the Hoop House. Additionally, NMU Indoor Agriculture Professor Lehren Olk-Szost incorporates the cultivation of produce such as lettuce and herbs in the vertical freight farms as part of a service-learning project for his classes. To supplement produce grown on campus and ensure consistent inventory, the Pantry also spends between $1,600 and $2,400 in bimonthly food deliveries from Feeding America West Michigan. The continued partnership with Days for Girls - an organization committed to eliminating the stigma and limitations associated with menstruation - ensures that the Pantry can provide cost-effective, safe, sustainable, and contextually relevant feminine products.
Beyond formal partnerships, the Pantry relies on community donations of both food and financial resources to sustain its programming. NMU Food Pantry Task Force Member Michelle Jacob emphasized that the Pantry “only exists because of the kindness and commitment of our community”. She expressed immense gratitude for the community’s ongoing support and shared commitment to ensuring all college students have access to healthy, affordable food.
Together, these partnerships significantly expand the reach and impact of the NMU Food Pantry.
How to Access
The NMU Food Pantry remains open year-round to all NMU students, faculty, and staff who would like to receive a weekly bag of groceries. The Pantry also now has two locations: Gries Hall 101B and Jacobetti 101D. For the most up-to-date information on hours and availability, visitors should check the NMU Food Pantry website. Questions can be directed to foodpantry@nmu.edu or by calling the Dean of Students Office at (906) 227-1700. Additional updates can also be found by following the Pantry on Instagram at @nmu_food_pantry.
The process for accessing the Pantry remains largely unchanged, with visitors signing in via a QR code that collects basic information, including name, address, and household size. This information is used solely for recordkeeping and to maintain eligibility for funding and food support through Feeding America West Michigan. Information disclosed in these forms will not be shared beyond this purpose. Moreover, individuals are not required to bring identification, prove need, or answer any financial questions.
Interested in Getting Involved?
Those interested in supporting the NMU Food Pantry are encouraged to get involved. Volunteer and internship opportunities are available, including through the Pantry’s longstanding partnership with the Student Leader Fellowship Program (SLFP). To learn more, individuals may email foodpantry@nmu.edu.
Individuals can also get involved by donating to the Pantry. The Pantry accepts unexpired, nonperishable food items and monetary donations through the NMU Foundation. Physical donations may be dropped off at the Dean of Students Office (Hedgcock 2001) or at the Food Pantry during open hours. When the Pantry is closed, a donation box is available outside the front entrance.
For more information on the origin of the NMU Food Pantry and the impact of food insecurity on college campuses, we recommend reading our original article below.
Original post published July 2023
Thirty percent of college students experience food insecurity while pursuing higher education. As defined by the United States Department of Agriculture, food insecurity refers to “a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy lifestyle”. College student food insecurity issues are often underrecognized, under-examined, and under-addressed, which makes it a crisis that greatly impacts their lives. Students’ health and academic performance can be negatively affected by food insecurity on college campuses, and because of this, students tend to fall into a lower GPA category. These struggles can diminish a student’s ability to excel in class, and contribute to lower attendance and completion rates. In addition to academic performance, the health and well-being of students also suffer because of food insecurity. Students who are food insecure are more likely to report indicators of higher rates of stress and depression.
Breann Wallrapp is the director of the Northern Michigan University food pantry, located on campus in Gries Hall. Breann oversees the pantry's operations, including ordering food, accepting donations, and staffing with student interns from the Student Leader Fellowship Program (SLFP). She also helps with coordination and outreach among local organizations who support the pantry, spearheads on-campus donation campaigns, ensures there are proper open hours for people to attend the pantry, and that the pantry is meeting the needs of the NMU community.
“I think the food pantry is needed on campus because it helps meet the needs of the students, which is really important. As an academic advisor, I see so often that student’s basic needs are going unmet and it’s impossible to help them do better in the classroom and really achieve the level of education they can if they aren’t having their basic needs met” Breann states.
The NMU food pantry is open to all NMU students, faculty, and staff in need of items. “Students are the majority of the population we serve, but we are open to any members of the Northern community who have a need,” Breann states.
The pantry suggests anyone from the NMU community in need of food assistance come to the pantry once a week for a bag of groceries. “We understand that what they receive may not be enough to sustain a person for the entire week, but it’s hopefully enough to supplement for the missing food items that a person might need with the cost of inflation,” says Breann.
Food insecurity on college campuses is often overlooked. “When you think of a traditional college aged student, you think that they live on campus and have a meal plan, but there are so many non-traditional students who live off campus, may not have consistent support and are struggling to find food,” Breann states.
The pantry has shelf stable, nonperishable items, as well as a small selection of household items including silverware, plates, cups, pots, pans, paper towels, toilet paper for students who live off campus, and a small shelf of toiletry items. There are also a few specialty items that get donated every so often and they also offer some produce items seasonally.
The NMU food pantry also partners with Days for Girls which produces cost effective, safe, sustainable and contextually relevant feminine products. The pantry has a shelf that is restocked every few weeks consisting of a variety of goods. Community members are encouraged to stop into the NMU food pantry to learn more about available Days for Girls products.
The food pantry currently has around 150-200 monthly visitors, which is up about 30-40 more visits than 2022. In an effort to keep the pantry fully stocked, it costs between $800-$1,200 per month to receive food from Feeding America West Michigan. The food pantry encourages students with an unlimited meal plan through the University not to use the food pantry unless it is absolutely necessary in order to save food for individuals who don’t have meal plans on campus and may be experiencing food insecurity.
The food pantry is open year-round in order to provide resources to students, staff, and faculty who reside in the area during semester breaks, holiday breaks, and summer months. Hours of operation vary and are more limited when school is not in session. Individuals are encouraged to check hours of operation prior to arriving. One challenge the food pantry is currently working to overcome is increasing access to healthier food options. They do not want to be perceived as being just a place to get junk food and snacks. “We want to make sure we are providing students with food that is healthy and sustainable for their lives, not just a quick fix,” Breann states.
NMU’s food pantry wants to contribute to recipients improving and maintaining their health and wellbeing, but it’s challenging when unhealthy foods are more readily available at lower costs. “Trying to find a balance of offering health conscious products while maintaining a budget is really challenging. So many people face this every day, but especially those in rural areas where food scarcity is a reality,” says Breann.
An additional challenge is trying to break the stigma and misconceptions associated with food pantries. The stigma people feel and associate with food pantries holds them back from accessing the resources they need. Individuals think they are not needy enough or are embarrassed about needing help. Breann says she is starting to see a positive shift in the right direction. “The food pantry is really trying to be a welcoming place and provide a supportive environment where everyone who walks in feels comfortable and not ashamed. People often think someone else’s needs are more important than their own, but it’s for everyone who has a need, so if you have a need, the pantry is for you!” Breann says.
Not knowing what to expect when visiting the pantry is something that may hold students back. When someone walks in, they are asked to sign in either through a QR code or on the sign in sheet that records their name, address, and the number of people living in their household. This information is not shared outside of the pantry and is collected for their own records, so the pantry can continue to get funding and food from Feeding America West Michigan. There’s no ID or proof of need required to receive food. It’s a very simple, discreet, check in process.
The location of the food pantry may also be a barrier for students. Gries Hall is located on the opposite side of campus from where students reside and where most classes take place. There is limited parking near the pantry, which makes it a challenge for commuter students. “Students who live off campus have a very hard time getting to the pantry when they don’t have transportation. Students who need it the most live off campus, but if they can’t get to campus during the time our pantry is open, it’s hard for them to get the food they need,” Breann states. One discussed solution to this issue would be extending the food pantry hours and increasing promotion on campus so more NMU community members can access assistance.
The NMU food pantry accepts unexpired, non-perishable foods and monetary donations through the NMU foundation. A good way for a class or organization to help students in need is to consider partnering with the food pantry. “It’s students helping students and it’s the campus community you are building up. It’s a great feeling to have. You can help others and it doesn’t have to take a lot of time or money. At the end of the school year, when students are moving out of the dorms, those with extra food can always donate it to the food pantry instead of lugging it all back home” Breann states.
Donations are accepted at the Dean of Students office located in the Hedgcock building on NMU’s campus and at the NMU food pantry during the times they are open. When the pantry is not open, there is a box outside of the front door that donations can be left in.
Breann suggests a fun way to donate to the pantry is to go shopping with your family or friends and pick out fun things that the pantry doesn’t always have available. She states, “Shopping with young kids can teach them to give back from an early age and it shows them how easy it is. If you found some items on sale and saved a few dollars from your own grocery bill, you can always pick up a couple cans of your favorite soups or something small to donate to the pantry.”
“There are a lot of people in the Northern community who are really excited about the food pantry and who want to help support us,” Breann says. “I’m so grateful for how supportive the community has been and how many faculty members encourage their students to use the food pantry. It’s really amazing to receive support from our faculty and staff in that way.”
The NMU Center for Rural Health and the NMU food pantry have mutual goals and visions when it comes to bettering the overall community. “Anytime that you can work together to achieve goals, you’ve just leveraged and amplified resources, knowledge and support,” Breann states. “I think this collaborative partnership is really exciting, and I look forward to seeing how we can help each other grow in the future. There are so many avenues that we can go down and events that we can participate in together.”
The NMU food pantry can be contacted by email or by calling the Dean of Students, (906) 227-1700. They will be able to answer most questions, and if they are not able to, they will get you in touch with someone who can.
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The Northern Michigan University Center for Rural Health seeks to improve the health and well-being of Upper Peninsula residents and communities by developing collaborative partnerships that enhance the access and availability of affordable, quality healthcare services. For questions or comments related to this story, contact ruralhealth@nmu.edu.