Policies & FAQs

Pod

OneCard Policy

Inspection and Expiration Policy

We inspect all food items (non-perishable and perishable) before stocking our shelves. The standard guide we follow comes from the Sacramento Food Bank and is available for public reference.

Because food manufacturers use different codes to ensure products are sold at the peak of their quality and taste, we use this guide to objectively inspect donations and purchases from community partners.

General Overview on How to Interpret Best By/Sell By/ Expiry Date
Inspection Guide for Shelf-Stable, Refrigerated, and Frozen Items

For Example: Dry Cereal (cup or bagged), according to the guide, is good to eat up to *one year* past its expiry date. If we received a donation of multigrain cheerios with an expiry date of August 1st, 2023, and we inspected it on July 1st, 2024, it would meet our quality standard and be made available to our students!

Volunteer Policy

Volunteers agree to:

  • Arrive on-time for shifts and notify staff of any anticipated absences or changes.
  • Wear closed-toe shoes to shifts.
  • Use all tools and equipment provided safely with guidance from staff.
  • Sign in and out on the clipboard each shift.
  • Notify staff of any health and safety issues or potentially hazardous situations that may pose a risk to self or others and report any accidents or incidents.
  • Treat students using the Food Pantry with compassion, sensitivity, and care.

ASI Food Pantry in the News

Spotlight on the ASI Food Pantry, Instagram – February 26, 2024
ASI Food Pantry provides resources for students with low food security – November 30, 2022
ASI Food Pantry seeks volunteers, donations to feed students in need - October 20, 2022
ASI Food Pantry seeks groceries that reflect Sac State’s diverse cultures - March 15, 2022
 Introducing ASI Food Pantry Lockers: After Hours Pick-Up! – December 14, 2021
Expanded Food Pantry, CARES office poised to open, serve – April 15, 2019

Additional Resources

Lockers

Please plan around Food Pantry closure dates (Labor Day, Thanksgiving, July 4th, etc) and place your After-Hours Pick Up Lockers order in advance.

CapRadio Garden

Learn more about Sac State Sustainability on their news page.
Sac State research shows strong regional support for buying locally sourced food
New state grant will allow Sac State to turn uneaten Dining Commons food scraps into usable compost

Sacramento Food Map

This map shows Sacramento-region food resources including food banks, food pantries, free fridges and pantries, farmers’ markets, and farm stands (including information regarding EBT/CalFresh access). This map was generated with data provided by NorCal Resist, the Sacramento Homeless Union, The Awkward Gardener, and Alchemist CDC.