Additional Locations Expand Access to the Daisy Trade Food Pantry

Efforts to connect students, staff, and faculty in need of food and other basic needs resources are expanding on campus after the opening of the new Martin Market.

Jennifer McMillen, Department Head of Nutrition, Health and Human Performance, cut the ribbon to officially open the Martin Market on Wednesday, September 14. This satellite location of the Daisy Trade is located in Martin 123 and is Meredith’s second food pantry location. 

Estimates of food insecurity on Meredith College’s campus have shown 1 in 3 students lack a secure source of food.

“We know there is a need on campus and we want students, staff, and faculty to know it is okay to utilize resources because food is important to our well-being – mentally, physically, emotionally, and academically. Unfortunately, access and stigma are two big barriers to pantry use,” shared Rebecca Hagedorn-Hatfield, Assistant Professor of Food and Nutrition. 

The Martin Market location was chosen to provide access in two opposite locations on campus and to help increase the visibility of food resources. To access the Martin Market, students just need to scan the QR code to sign in and can fill up a brown bag of items. 

Online ordering is also now available for those seeking a “grab-and-go” option. Online ordering allows students, staff, or faculty to select foods they would like to receive in their bag and which pantry location they would like to visit to discretely pick up their bagged items. Meal kits that contain packaged food items and recipe cards are also available for order. Visit my.meredith.edu/CampusSites/DaisyTrade to access order forms. 

In addition to the Martin Market, two new food and book kiosks have also been added on campus.

“We are so thankful to the Raleigh non-profit, The Food Drive Kids, who donated the two kiosks for two new locations for the Daisy Trade. They are located outside on the Cate Center patio and between SMB and the Chapel and house food and books,” said Chaplain Stacy Pardue. “We are also becoming a partner with the Raleigh non-profit The Interfaith Food Shuttle that will be providing us food for the four Daisy Trade locations. Traffic has increased in the Daisy Trade, and the need is obvious; many thanks to those who donate and support our students and staff.”

Campus community members who would like to donate food or hygiene products are welcome to drop off donations in the Chapel or Martin 123. When donating canned goods, consider pull tab options for easy opening. Microwavable, single-portion foods are easy for college students to utilize.