Essential Food and Other Services

The BSE recognizes that these are trying times for us all and the upcoming month(s) will be particularly challenging since the federal government shutdown started Oct. 1, 2025. Some benefits such as CalFresh/SNAP, may be reduced or paused altogether. Below is a list of resources for those in need of essential food and other services.

background is sather gate with crowds of people walking and icons in the foreground representing food housing and finances

UC Berkeley Students

UCB Basic Needs Center. Offers short-term emergency relief and long-term support services addressing students’ basic needs. They define basic needs as an ecosystem that at the core includes food security, housing security, and financial stability. All enrolled students including undergraduate, graduate, international and undocumented students are eligible for Basic Needs Center resources and services.

UCB Grab N Go Meals. A free recovered meal program. Quantity and variety may vary. 

UCB Basic Needs Food Pantry. 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.

Find a local food pantry. Connects people to free groceries or hot meals as soon as possible.

Restaurants offering free/discounted meals to families on CalFresh. News article by KQED (Oct. 27, 2025) that includes a listing of restaurants offering free or discounted meals.

UC Berkeley Employees

UCB Staff Food Pantry. Monthly food offerings for UC Berkeley employees. Must bring Cal1 card.

Find a local food pantry. Connects people to free groceries or hot meals as soon as possible.

Restaurants offering free/discounted meals to families on CalFresh. News article by KQED (Oct. 27, 2025) that includes a listing of restaurants offering free or discounted meals.