Free Produce Days Help Ivy Tech Indy Students, Community Access Fresh Food

Even in the summer, and with the Bear Necessities Food Pantry temporarily displaced, IvyCares at Ivy Tech Indianapolis continues to provide food resources to students and community members.

Through a partnership with Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, IvyCares hosts Free Produce Days on the first and third Thursdays of each month while classes are in session. Fresh fruits and vegetables are available at no cost to anyone in need.

“Free Produce Days help remove one more barrier for our students and the community at large,” Mary Louise Edwards, IvyCares Director, said. “When students don't have to choose between buying groceries and paying for other essential expenses, they feel less stressed and can focus more.”

As grocery prices continue to rise, IvyCares has seen an increasing need for food resources.

“Fresh produce is often one of the first items families have to go without when budgets are tight, so being able to provide healthy food makes a meaningful difference for our students and the community we serve,” Edwards said.

Demand continues through the summer

Participation in Free Produce Days varies depending on the time of year, making it difficult for IvyCares to identify a typical number of participants.

This summer has also been unusual because the Bear Necessities Food Pantry was displaced following the temporary closure of the North Meridian Center for renovations aligned with Ivy Tech Indy: Reimagined for the Future.  

Even with those challenges, participation has remained strong.

At a recent Free Produce Day held after summer final exams had concluded, 52 people participated, including 27 Ivy Tech students. Earlier this summer, some Produce Days served between 60 and 65 community members.

IvyCares has also seen an increase in demand for its food pantry services during the past year. Although the pantry is open to students, faculty, and staff, it has traditionally been used primarily by students. Over the past year, IvyCares has also noticed an increase in faculty and staff accessing the pantry.

Share Shelf keeps food accessible during relocation

Although the full Bear Necessities Food Pantry is temporarily closed this summer because of its relocation, IvyCares created a Share Shelf in the hallway outside its temporary IvyCares office, located in Room 166 in the Illinois Fall Creek Center, to continue providing access to shelf-stable food and essential items.

Visitors are not required to sign in. Instead, IvyCares asks anyone who takes something from the shelf to draw a smiley face, allowing the department to track use without requiring visitors to identify themselves.

In June, the Share Shelf recorded 237 visits. In July, that number increased to more than 400 visits.

Partnership with Gleaners expands access

Thanks to support from donors to the Ivy Tech Foundation, IvyCares can purchase pantry items from Gleaners at a significantly reduced cost. That allows the pantry to stretch donated dollars and serve more students.

Fresh produce is provided by Gleaners at no cost, allowing IvyCares to host Free Produce Days and make the resource available to anyone in need.

IvyCares also takes steps to protect the privacy and dignity of those accessing its food resources. The department does not photograph students or community members receiving food or accessing the Bear Necessities Food Pantry because it does not want those seeking assistance to feel judged or uncomfortable.