News Summary
The Feed-A-Bull pantry at the University of South Florida Tampa has expanded its facilities to better serve the increasing number of food-insecure students. Adding cold storage units for perishables and an updated refrigerator, the expansion supports a growing demand for fresh produce and essential items. Funded by a $100,000 donation from The Mosaic Company, the pantry aims to provide a wider array of food options and alleviate financial stress for students. Partnerships with local organizations ensure a steady supply of resources.
Tampa, Florida – The Feed-A-Bull food pantry at the University of South Florida (USF) Tampa has completed a significant expansion to better meet the rising demand from students facing food insecurity. This expansion, finalized over the summer, encompasses the addition of new cold storage units particularly designed for fresh produce, vegetables, and other perishable items.
Established in 2015 by Katie Webster and Callie Nettles, the Feed-A-Bull pantry was created with the aim to support students experiencing food insecurity. Since its inception, the pantry has expanded its reach considerably, serving nearly 15 times more students than in its initial year. The recent expansion was made possible by a $100,000 donation from The Mosaic Company, a prominent global agricultural firm.
The renovations included the installation of an updated, larger refrigerator that allows for a greater assortment of chilled products, such as fruits, vegetables, and popular items like Publix’s assorted deli selections and microwaveable meals. The pantry aims to broaden its inventory of perishables, with plans to incorporate items like eggs and milk products, driven by the growing student population’s needs.
Increased Demand and Usage
Usage of the Feed-A-Bull pantry has surged, with the total number of visits recorded at 10,073 across Tampa locations from fall 2024 to summer 2025, leading to the distribution of 51,943 pounds of food. In its first year, the pantry logged 667 visits and dispensed 7,850 pounds of food. The current fall semester has already witnessed over 1,100 visits, marking an increase of 100 visits compared to the same period last year.
The Feed-A-Bull pantry operates from two locations on the USF Tampa campus – one in the Student Services building and another at the Morsani College of Medicine. Additionally, a location on the St. Petersburg campus can be found in the Peter Rudy Wallace building, while the Sarasota-Manatee campus offers a similar service called Support-A-Bull, despite not having a pantry.
Partnerships and Support
Feed-A-Bull is primarily supported by Feeding Tampa Bay and works in partnership with Publix and USF Dining to ensure a steady supply of food. The pantry provides a variety of ready-to-eat meals, sandwiches, soups, and personal hygiene items to students. To bolster supply, the pantry hosts food drives and heavily relies on volunteer support for its operations.
Despite apprehensions regarding potential cuts to USDA programs, the Feed-A-Bull pantry has reported no impact on its food supply. The combination of strong partnerships and community outpouring helps maintain its resources.
Community Engagement
The newly expanded pantry not only increases capacity but also enhances organization and accessibility of food products for students in need. It opens avenues for community events and food demonstrations that aim to educate and engage students. Some students have noted that the pantry significantly alleviates financial stress related to food expenses, reinforcing its role as a critical support system within the USF community.
As demand continues to grow, the ongoing efforts and improvements at the Feed-A-Bull pantry aim to address student needs more effectively, ensuring those in need receive the assistance and resources essential for their well-being.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- USF Oracle: Feed-A-Bull Expansion Opens Cold Storage
- USF Oracle: A Guide to USF’s Post-Hurricane Resources
- USF Oracle: Feed-A-Bull Pantry Sees Increasing Demand from Past Years
- USF Athletics: University of South Florida to Support Hurricane Relief Efforts
- USF Oracle: USF’s Feed-A-Bull Adds New Location at College of Medicine Building
- Wikipedia: Food Insecurity
- Google Search: Feed-A-Bull food pantry
- Google Scholar: Food Pantries in Universities
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Pantry
- Google News: Food Insecurity News
Author: STAFF HERE TAMPA WRITER
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