State grant helps Rowan expand efforts to fight student food insecurity

Rowan University has received a $27,500 state grant this semester to strengthen its fight against student food insecurity – a challenge affecting campuses nationwide. The funding is part of a broader $1.2 million initiative supporting college students across New Jersey.

“Food insecurity remains a significant issue both at Rowan and across America,” said Andrew Perrone, Ed.D., assistant director of the Office of Volunteerism & Community Engagement. “More than one-third of students report experiencing food insecurity at any given time.”

Rowan first identified the problem locally through its 2016 Student Hunger on Campus survey, which led to the creation of The Shop, the university’s on-campus food pantry. Located at 124 State Street in the former International House, The Shop is open year-round—including breaks and summer sessions—to ensure students have consistent access to food.

“It’s not unusual for us to serve more than 300 students in a single week,” Perrone said.

Each month, the pantry sees about 500 unique visitors and more than 1,000 total visits, he said.

Unlike many public food pantries, The Shop allows students to choose what works best for them. Shelves are stocked with staples like peanut butter, pasta and ramen, alongside fresh milk, frozen meats, bakery items, cheese, yogurt, produce, and grab-and-go snacks such as granola bars and fruit.

Both undergraduate and graduate students are welcome, and while some students have meal plans, many—especially those living off-campus—rely on The Shop for groceries or snacks to bridge gaps between meals.

Rowan also partners with Philabundance to host Fresh for All, a weekly produce distribution every Friday morning on campus.

“We provide the venue and volunteers; they provide the produce,” Perrone explained.

The new state grant will support daily operations and fund research into food insecurity, continuing efforts that began with a previous $100,000 grant used to renovate The Shop’s building. Perrone collaborates with Justin Major, Ph.D., in experiential engineering to integrate research with service.

“This funding helps us sustain and expand resources for students who need them most,” Perrone said.