"Freddy's Locker" location in the Williams Center
SUNY Fredonia is expanding access to fresh and perishable food items for students with the addition of a larger refrigerator to the campus food pantry called "Freddy’s Locker."
The upgrade will allow Freddy’s Locker to increase storage of essentials such as milk, eggs, butter and cheese, while also adding fresh fruits and vegetables. The refrigerator was purchased by the Student Association after its leadership approached the campus to assess the need for expanded refrigeration capacity.
“Adding a larger refrigerator will improve our ability to provide perishable, healthy food options to students,” said Debbie Dibble, director of the Student Health Center. “It allows us to better meet student needs while growing partnerships that bring fresh produce to campus.”
Freddy’s Locker has grown steadily over the past decade. It has evolved from a small grab-and-go pantry in LoGrasso Hall into a centralized, student-focused resource now located on the main floor of the Williams Center.
“We have continually received positive feedback from students about the pantry, especially since relocating Freddy’s Locker,” Ms. Dibble said. “Students value a reliable, accessible resource on campus.”
So far, this academic year, Freddy’s Locker has served 331 students, distributing 1,181 bags of food and 6,822 individual items. The numbers show a significant increase from the previous academic year, when 129 students were served, with 331 bags and 3,982 items distributed.
All food is purchased with funds from the SUNY Food Insecurity Grant, with additional support from donations. A private donor has also contributed to the pantry’s development but has requested anonymity.
The expanded capacity will also strengthen collaboration with the Fred Grows program, particularly during summer months when locally grown produce requires proper refrigeration before distribution.
Food insecurity is a continuing national issue affecting college students and can impact academic success. Freddy’s Locker is designed to provide consistent, barrier-free access to food and essential items, supporting overall student health and wellness. An online ordering system allows students to select items and schedule pickup times, improving convenience and privacy.
The pantry operates six days a week and is staffed entirely by students.
In addition to the food stocked twice weekly, Freddy’s Locker continues to provide toiletries, menstrual products, and basic hygiene items on grab-and-go shelves adjacent to the pantry. Basic needs “satellite boxes” are also maintained in all 10 residential dormitories, as well as in the townhouse complex and the library.
“This expanded access has allowed us to better support both residential and off-campus students, ensuring that essential items are available across campus in convenient and accessible locations,” Dibble said. “We are able to extend the reach of Freddy’s Locker and more effectively meet the diverse needs of our student community.”
