UC Irvine opens expansive food pantry as more college students struggle with hunger

Students file into the pantry as UC Irvine opens the 1,818-square-foot Fresh Basic Needs Hub.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Sept. 27, 2017 5:42 PM PT

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A 2016 survey found that 1 in 4 University of California students lack a consistent source of nutritious food. As more college students struggle with food insecurity and hunger, UC Irvine opens one of the largest food pantries in the nation.

UC Irvine opens the Fresh Basic Needs Hub trailer as part of the largest food pantry in the 10-campus University of California system to address rising hunger among college students.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Students are served food during the opening of the Fresh Needs Hub at UC Irvine. The 1,818-square-foot facility offers fresh, canned and packaged produce, a kitchen for cooking demonstrations and space for study and socializing.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Celine Qussiny, left, a UC Irvine graduate, Mohammed Bensufia, middle, a third-year social policy major, and Nef Rogers, right, a fifth-year computer science major, eat Vietnamese spring rolls as UC Irvine opens a new food pantry for students.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)