Groceries at University of Minnesota: Where Can I Find Them?
Locating Fresh and Affordable Food in a Campus Food Desert
BY ALLIE PARKER WITH ART BY BROOKE LAMBRECHT
If you live on campus or in the surrounding area, you are living in a food desert where purchasing affordable and good-quality fresh food is a challenge. Additionally, according to the College Student Health Survey, 19.1% of University of Minnesota students face food insecurity (which is defined by the USDA as “a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food”). The collection of these factors begs the question: Where on campus can students shop for fresh and affordable food? Here are some potential options.
Fresh Thyme Market
Fresh Thyme is by far the largest grocery store close to campus. Its prices are a bit on the higher side for a college budget, but it has a wide variety of produce and is always well-stocked. The downside is that it’s in Prospect Park and is about a 12 minute walk from the edge of campus. Luckily, it’s located right next to a light rail station and riding the bus is another easy option.
Target
Ah, the infamous Dinkytown Target—where prices are at a premium but produce is sparse. It’s about a 5 minute walk from campus, so many students living in or near the area get their groceries from here regularly. Sorry Stadium Villagers, this one’s a bit of a trek. Generally, though, if you’re looking to get in a quick grocery run and aren’t overly tight on cash, Target is an adequate option.
Walgreens & CVS
These two stores, which are both on campus, are the best “grocery stores” location-wise. Although, that’s about where their perks end. They both have extremely limited options for produce and are on the pricier end. Speaking from experience as a previous Superblock-dweller who often relied on these stores for non-dorm food, you’re not likely to find anything much healthier than a few cubes of watermelon for a hefty price of six bucks.
After venturing to each grocery store at the University of Minnesota, it is clear that campus has a couple core options for grocery shopping but definitely needs some improvement. Furthermore, if you or someone you know is struggling with food insecurity, make sure to check out university resources such as Boynton Health’s Nutritious U Food Pantry, which is open the last week of every month during the semester on the first floor of Memorial Union.
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