Food Pantry | Basic Needs

Basic Needs Food Pantry

The Food Pantry is a food program that is designed by students to meet the short-term, immediate food needs of UC Berkeley students. This includes undergraduate and graduate, undocumented, international, visiting scholars, student researchers, and postdocs.

Important Reminders:

We are currently located in bNorth, lower level of MLK Jr. Student Union
This resource is only for UC Berkeley Students (includes Undergrad, Grad, and Visiting Scholar/Postdoc)
You can visit up to once per week.
You need your Cal ID or Cal ID Number.
Not a student? Check out these community food resources and this webpage for the staff pantry.

Food Pantry Hours (Fall 2025)

Open September 3rd through December 5th

Closed for holidays including November 11th and November 24th through 28th

Tuesday 1pm - 2:30pm | 3pm - 4:30pm | 5-6:30pm

Wednesday 1pm - 2:30pm | 3pm - 4:30pm | 5-6:30pm

Thursday 11am - 12:30pm | 1-2:30pm | 3-4:30pm

Friday 12-1:30pm | 2-3:30pm

Fall 2025 Update: Please fill out the new Student Profile Form before you visit! Read more below or go straight to the form here (external link).

Spring 2025 Update: The gaps between open hours are closures for breaks. You will not be able to remain in the virtual line while we are closed.
Please read more about this update here (external google doc link)!

How to Access the Food Pantry

Step 1: Fill Out New Student Profile Form Prior to Your First Visit

Before you sign up on the virtual line to visit the Food Pantry, please fill out the Basic Needs Center’s New Student Profile Form. This is not replacing the virtual line, but is in addition to it, in an effort to move to a more secure platform, better support students, as well as be able to reach out in the rare case of a food recall.

Starting Fall 2025, even if you have visited in previously, please fill out the New Student Profile form. This form only has to be filled out once and should take no more than 2 minutes to complete.

Step 2: Sign Up on Our Virtual Line

The Food Pantry virtual line opens during our Pantry open hours, listed above. You can sign-up from anywhere on campus. If you don’t have a phone number, please come in-person and sign-up at the Pantry check-in table.

The line will close during daily restock times and if it fills up.

Step 3: Check-In Upstairs When it is Your Turn

You will receive a text message confirming you are in line, and reminding you to bring a bag and your Cal ID.

Please wait until you receive the text saying you are at the front of the line before coming to check-in. You have up to 15 minutes once you receive the front of the line text to check-in.

If you have technical difficulties joining the line or do not receive a text, please come to the check-in table at the bNorth entrance.

Step 4: Visit the Pantry

After scanning your Cal ID or inputting you Student ID # at check-in, you can go downstairs and visit the Food Pantry. After choosing your items, you’ll proceed to the checkout station and we’ll scan your items to keep our inventory up to date. Everything is free, but to ensure we have enough for everyone, please only take what you need.

Step 5: Share Your Feedback

At the end of your visit, you’ll receive a text asking for any feedback you have about whether the Food Pantry met your immediate food needs.