The University of Rhode Island has a number of supports that may help!

fresh fruits and groceries in brown cardboard bag on white background with banner reading Rhody Outpost Pantry

Rhody Outpost

Rhody Outpost is URI’s principal basic needs pantry for students experiencing food insecurity. It provides fresh and non-perishable food and personal care items at no charge to students. Rhody Outpost is conveniently located near campus and directly serves URI students, but there are other local food pantries that students can access, including Jonnycake Center for Hope (Peace Dale) and St. Peter’s by-the-Sea.

Rhody Outpost
Apples from URI's East Farm are sorted and boxed for distribution to URI students and Rhode Island food banks.

Fresh Fruits and Veggies!

URI holds a free Farmers’ Market with fresh fruits and vegetables grown on URI campus, available to students free of charge. This event is on Thursdays on the Quad in the Fall semester.

Follow @urifreefarmersmarket for details.

Share a Swipe For Hope

URI often holds a campaign where students can donate “guest swipes” from their meal plan via a dining hall kiosk, and those seeking meals can apply to have a certain number of meals added to their ID card so they can easily access meals with their peers anonymously. At a time when one in three U.S. college students faces food insecurity, URI students can make an immediate difference by donating one unused guest pass.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP is a federally-funded program administered through the RI Department of Human Services that helps low-income households pay for nutritious food. SNAP is a critical benefit for Rhode Islanders who need food assistance, yet some eligible Rhode Islanders struggle with the enrollment process and may not even know they are eligible. Rhode Islanders can use the SNAP Outreach website to apply for nutrition assistance.

SNAP in RI
Learn more about additional food resources in your area.