Dear Graduate Students and Graduate Assistants, 

This week we will be sharing some helpful resources provided by UMBC (and its partners) to help eliminate the burden of food insecurity* for UMBC members:

Meal Plans:

• As Graduate Assistants, you are eligible for purchasing Faculty & Staff Meal Plans. 

• These meal plans allow either 10, 20, or 75 meals to be used at any dining venue on campus with the exception of the Skylight Room.

• You can purchase a Faculty & Staff Meal plan following this link.

• Please also consider donating meals to those in need through the 'Save-a-Swipe' program.

Retriever Essentials:

• To tackle food insecurity, UMBC offers free, pre-assembled, and nutritionally balanced bags of non-perishable food and toiletries.
• These items are available for pickup at various food zones across the campus. 
• You can locate these Food Zones here.
• Please also consider donating to the Retriever Essentials pantry.

Free Farmers Market:

• Every Thursday, from 2:15 to 3:00 PM, you can stop by the AOK Library (towards Erickson Hall and Walker Ave) to grab fresh produce and assorted dry goods.

True Grits Discounts:

• For Graduate Students, you can purchase a meal (without a meal plan) at a discounted rate of ~ $7. You would need to show your campus ID to prove your student status.
  
• For all UMBC students and staff, you can purchase a meal (without a meal plan) from True Grits at a flat rate of $6 on Fridays.

If there is anything specific you want GAAC to discuss / explain in our Wednesday Wisdom series, please reach out to us at gaac@umbc.edu.

Note: Please show some appreciation for UMBC GAAC by following us on our Instagram. 

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life.