Utah Valley University Tackles Student Food Insecurity with On-Campus Initiatives
Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem is addressing student food insecurity through its "Pantry to Plate" cooking classes and "Fresh Food Friday" initiatives. These programs, managed by Amber McGuire, utilize produce from the on-campus "GRIT Garden" and donations to provide…
Salt Lake City, UT, August 14, 2026 —
Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem is implementing a multi-faceted approach to combat student food insecurity, focusing on providing both access to fresh food and the skills to prepare nutritious meals.
The university’s initiatives include “Pantry to Plate” cooking classes and “Fresh Food Friday” events. These programs are designed to equip students with the knowledge and resources to overcome hunger challenges.
Managed by Amber McGuire, these efforts leverage produce from the on-campus “GRIT Garden” as well as donated food items. Students participating in the “Pantry to Plate” classes learn to prepare a variety of dishes, with specific mention of recipes like smashed cucumber salad.
The demand for food assistance at UVU has notably increased. Last year, the university’s food pantry served over 12,000 individuals and distributed more than 67,000 pounds of food. This surge in demand underscores the growing need for such support services among the student population.
These programs at UVU are part of a wider trend observed across higher education institutions in Utah, where universities are increasingly recognizing and responding to the issue of student hunger.
Story summarized from the original created by Jason Swensen on www.deseret.com, see more information here.
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