Ferris State University has expanded its food pantry to provide students with greater access to healthy and affordable food.
The Bulldog Pantry, located in room 115 of the David L. Eisler Center, has partnered with the Big Rapids Farmers’ Market to offer free food vouchers to students.
The vouchers are offered in a ten-dollar bundle, made up of one-dollar and five-dollar vouchers. Students automatically qualify for the vouchers by visiting the food pantry.
The market vouchers are designated for the purchase of fresh produce, dairy products, eggs and baked goods at the local market, with the intention to supplement what students are given at the pantry.
Students are expected to purchase items using the vouchers as they would with any other form of payment.
Information on which vendors accept the vouchers has been made available on the market’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
The pantry was developed through a collaboration between the Dean of Student Life Office, the President’s Office, Student Government and several other campus partners.
Student Life Specialist Josh Olszewski stated that the pantry is meant to assist students with necessities.
“The food pantry at Ferris State University provides a variety of essential items to currently enrolled students,” Olszewski said.
Olszewski further emphasized that the pantry is open to all currently enrolled students, whether they are in need of support weekly or once a semester.
The pantry is also intended to offer a sense of security and community for students in need, which influenced the decision to partner with the local farmers’ market.
Ferris Housing initially began a small pantry at the West Campus Community Center several years ago. With additional support from university offices and student leaders, the pantry moved and expanded operations to the Eisler Center in August 2024.
Since then, the pantry has recorded more than 3,600 visits and served more than 850 students in need.
The pantry distributes a wide range of items, including canned vegetables, fresh produce, frozen meat, bakery goods and condiments. Students can also acquire non-food necessities such as shampoo, body wash and toothpaste from the pantry.
For radiography junior Ni’Jah Rankin, the pantry has become a critical part of staying in school while managing expenses.
“It’s a lot easier to get the food that I need without having a car,” Rankin said. “It’s really hard to get what I need without spending large amounts of my money, which affects my overall livelihood.”
Rankin further stated that the pantry’s fresh produce, frozen meat and farmers’ market vouchers have been among the most helpful resources the pantry provides.
She further expressed appreciation for the accessibility of the pantry.
Beyond supporting students, the farmers’ market vouchers opened the opportunity to support the community.
Lindsey Bridgewater, a vendor who accepts Ferris vouchers at the market, expressed the importance of providing students with support like the market vouchers.
“They’re the future of the community,” Bridgewater said. “I think that it’s a great way to encourage them to buy locally and eat healthier stuff.”
Bridgewater also stated that while she does not know what the future holds for her small business, she is grateful to build a relationship with students in the area.
The Big Rapids Farmers’ Market is open on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., located in the parking lot next to Bernie’s Place.
The market also offers a Saturday market through the end of August, open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Bulldog Pantry’s fall semester hours are scheduled to begin Monday, Aug. 25. It will be open Monday and Tuesday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Ni’Jah Rankin was previously employed by the Ferris State Torch.