Next time you overestimate the catering needs or the number of attendees for your event and you end up with leftover food, use the Food4Students program, like Batman used the bat signal, to summon the nearby students for a feast.
Food4Students, run by Student Academic Affairs (SAA), is a text-based program that strives to eliminate food waste and feed our students.
According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, 40% of food in the U.S. goes uneaten, wasting natural resources like land, energy, and water.
On the other hand, a 2015 study conducted by the UC Office of the President, found that 42% of students experience very low and low food security, meaning they skip meals or eat less than is recommended.
“All my classmates are on it, so we will go over together. If people from the prior event are there, they’re very receptive and friendly to students showing up. I appreciate that UCSF is mindful both of student food security and not wasting food,” commented one student.
How Does the Program Work?
If there is leftover food after a catered event, the host (who will have needed to pre-register with SAA beforehand) sends a text message through the platform to let students know that surplus food is available for pick-up. On the other end, students receive a text message with the location and kind of food available.
Currently, 55% of students are taking advantage of the service; since the program launched in 2017, 1,151 text messages alerting students of available food have been sent.
How Staff and Students Can Participate?
Staff can participate by registering with the SAA; if approved, you will be added to the platform, and the next time after a big event you have leftovers, send a text message to the nearby students.
Students can sign up to receive text messages.
This video was recorded pre-pandemic, therefore does not reflect current event guidelines.
