The Western Pantry, which aims to combat food insecurity, officially opened its doors to all Western Sydney University (WSU) students on July 22nd at Kingswood Campus. The Pantry, situated in Building O, level 1, will be available to use during the times of Monday (12pm-4pm) and Wednesday (9am-1pm), and will allow students to pick five items to take home per week.
Student Community Program Coordinator, Miranda Zhang, says the Western Pantry fills a gap that was identified, despite the Community Dinners and Breakfast Bars taking place across WSU campuses.
“We really wanted to open a space where they [students] could grab things to take home and cook with. So our dinners are only once a week, we try to do Breakfast Bars four days a week, but there’s still a lack, with lunches and other dinners throughout the week. So, we really wanted to open up this space where we would increase the amount of and the variety of healthy nutritious food that students could have access to.”
Students at the Western Pantry can take home one item per section, and unlimited fruits and vegetables | Photo by Julia Bell, 2024.
So, how does it work?
Once students have picked their five staples, including fruit and vegetables – which students can take an unlimited supply of – a volunteer will help them at the counter using a QR code. It’s recommended that students bring their own shopping bags to pack their groceries in.
Free hygiene products at the Western Pantry | Photo by Julia Bell, 2024.
Period Products:
“We spoke to the Western Success team to promote the program,” says Zhang, “they mentioned that some of the students might want things like hygiene products and nappies, for any parents as well. We also had a lot of feedback from students and staff.”
Many Australians skipping meals:
2024 has seen a rise in the cost-of-living and, according to ABC News, young adults are feeling the gap of generational inequality widen as they face an economic crisis. They are struggling to buy groceries, pay their rent and bills, with many also juggling unpaid placements and study at university.
Australians are skipping meals daily due to cost-of-living crisis | Photo by Julia Bell, 2024.
According to the findings of a 2024 cost-of-living inquiry launched by a Senate Committee, with the results published by the ABC, Australians are skipping meals daily due to not being able to afford the basics – and having to pay other expenses. The responses from 900 people who took part in the survey showed that food insecurity is on the rise, being one of the biggest issues that young adults face today.
Students’ thoughts on the Western Pantry:
Mansi Pareek, a student at Western Sydney University (and one of the golden-ticket winners on the Opening Day, winning a Frank Green bottle), says on her experience at the Pantry:
“I feel like with the cost-of-living crisis, it’s essential that we get the basic necessities and additional help – I think it helps everyone. I think the setup is very much like what was advertised, it’s like a store, I think it’s been really done wisely with these sections, everyone can pick one from each.”
There were also four Golden Tickets hidden amongst the shelves of the Western Pantry | Photo by Julia Bell, 2024.
Shuyo Jyoti Sarkar, who also works at WSU as part of the team behind the Breakfast Bar, says of the Pantry:
“Yeah, it’s a good initiative. I knew even before it [the program] started, and it’s a really good initiative.”
“It’s essential that we get the basic necessities and additional help”, says WSU student, Mansi |Photo by Julia Bell.
How can you help the Western Pantry?
“We’re mainly asking staff to donate,’ says Zhang. “We had a big Lunch and Learn session with the Student Experience and Marketing (SEM) team, and a lot of staff members have mentioned that they’ll donate hygiene products, or they’ll come and volunteer at the Pantry, and get involved, which is great. We’re mostly asking for donations from staff and also from different companies as well.”
When asked what other companies they’d love to partner with, she answers:
“That’s a great question. Sanitarium would be a good one, because they do Weet-Bix and soy milks as well, so they could encompass quite a lot.”
Partnering with more companies is one of the goals of the team behind the Western Pantry initiative | Photo by Julia Bell, 2024.
At the initial planning stages of the initiative, who did they reach out to?
“Our first step was reaching out to Food Bank, OZ Harvest, and Second Bite,” said Zhang. “Unfortunately, their demand is so massive, so I think we’re on their waitlist, but we haven’t been able to get in so far. We’re so small at the moment, and we’re lacking in funding, but we’ll work our way there.”
It may be new and small, but the Western Pantry continues to be an essential golden ticket to food security for students.
To donate items and products to the Western Pantry, or if you wish to volunteer, please contact: Westernpantry@westernsydney.edu.au
