Food Insecurity Resources

As a Boston University graduate or professional student, we want to ensure your access to food is not compromised. If you are experiencing food insecurity, below please find resources available to you within the BU community, as well as local, Boston-area resources accessible by anyone in need.

On-Campus Resources

Terrier Meal Share
The Terrier Meal Share program gives students the opportunity to donate meal points, and allows students in need to access these points. Boston University students in need because of an immediate, short-term lack of access or lack of financial resources to access food can complete a short form. Staff from the Dean of Students Office, University Service Center, or the Office of Financial Assistance will contact the students to discuss support, eligibility, and the process of obtaining meal assistance. If you’re going home early and/or anticipate you’ll have unused meal swipes, please consider donating them to Terrier Meal Share. BU Auxiliary Services provides a meal for every student swipe donated.

Please note that the Terrier Meal Share is not available during intersession break, as the University’s dining halls will be closed.

Wheelock Community Cares
Wheelock Community Cares endeavors to end food insecurity for Wheelock students; its doors are open to any BU student in need of support. Students can access Community Cares up to three times in a 30-day period utilizing a Kerberos-protected shopping form. Please note that Wheelock does not share the information of students utilizing Community Cares. Students use the online form to place an order that could contain food, toiletries, and menstrual products, depending on the student’s needs, and pick the items up at a specific time.

Sargent Choice Nutrition Center
Sargent Choice Nutrition Center offers expert consultations for meal planning that can help people with food intolerances or restrictions, athletes in training, and people who are looking to create healthier eating habits. Students qualify for a limited number of free consultations, but insurance may cover the cost of others.

Off-Campus Resources

Food Banks and Resources in the Boston area

• The City of Boston Food Map
• The Greater Boston Food Bank
• Project Bread’s Food Source Helpline – comprehensive statewide hotline and referral services
• Brookline Food Pantry
• Boston Medical Center Preventative Food Pantry – get physician referral to take advantage of BMC-based food pantry
• Massachusetts Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) Nutrition Program – support for women and children with an income eligibility scale; for US citizens or permanent residents
• Massachusetts SNAP Program – updated food stamp program with income eligibility scale; for US citizens or permanent residents

Affordable Groceries and Food Items

• The Daily Table – grocery store in Dorchester and Roxbury
• Fair Foods – provides $2 bags on groceries
• Good and Cheap – free downloadable cookbook with recipes aimed at helping people prepare great meals on $4/day