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Redwood Free Market

Food insecurity threatens one in three college students nationally. Closer to home, 48 percent of UC Santa Cruz undergraduates say they don’t have consistent access to food. This problem has both physical and academic consequences—when students don’t have consistent access to food, their well-being and studies are impacted. The Redwood Free Market is a free resource for students, allowing them to take what they need from the pantry at no cost. Visitors have access to fresh produce, dry goods, and other pantry items. 


Students rely on the Redwood Free Market to keep themselves nourished and healthy. During the 2022–23 school year, the market logged 10,181 visits. The Redwood Free Market is a critical resource for student success.


This was a 20 percent increase in visits to the food pantry over the previous year. 


“You obviously can’t study if you’re hungry—or if you’re wondering where your next meal is coming from. For some people, something as basic as access to food is not basic. The Redwood Free Market helps keep students here so they can finish their degrees and move on to bigger and better things.”

–Estefanía Rodriguez, Basic Needs Program Manager


UC Santa Cruz partners with the local food bank to purchase food for the Redwood Free Market. Thanks to this partnership, every dollar donated to the Redwood Free Market goes even further. Every $1 donated provides 3 meals for a student in need. 


The contributions of donors have allowed the market to expand their offerings. A personal care product dispenser has been introduced, providing those in need with free soap, detergent, and more. 

Success!
Social Butterfly
Congratulations to Grupo Folklórico Los Mejicas de UCSC on engaging their community and rallying support for their project!
Completed
Leaderboard
Night Owl
The project with the most individual donors between 12 midnight and 1 am will receive $1,000. 2nd place will receive $500. Generously sponsored by an anonymous donor.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $1,000 Formula Slug 36
2 $500 Pilipino Cultural Celebration 22
3 Tech4Good Student Programs 17
4 Grupo Folklórico Los Mejicas de UCSC 17
5 KZSC Radio 10
Ended
Leaderboard
Morning Mayhem
The project with the most individual donors between 10 and 11 am will receive $1,000. 2nd place will receive $500.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $1,000 Cloud 9 A Cappella 62
2 $500 Women's Lacrosse Team 32
3 Autoslug 32
4 UCSC Slug Rugby 22
5 UCSC Fencing Club 22
Ended
Leaderboard
Happy Hour
The project teams with the most donors between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. will take home extra challenge funds! $1,000 for first place and $500 for second place. Generously sponsored by Professor of Theater Arts Patty Gallagher.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $1,000 Rocket Team at UCSC 51
2 $500 UCSC Surf Club 34
3 STEM Diversity - Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 21
4 SOL Ultimate Frisbee 18
5 Undergrads Supporting System-Impacted Filmmakers 16
Ended
Leaderboard
Slug Surprise
The project with the most individual donors between 10 and 11 p.m. will receive $1,500, 2nd place will receive $750 and 3rd will receive $500. Generously sponsored by an anonymous donor.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $1,500 Formula Slug 47
2 $750 STEM Diversity - Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 42
3 $500 UCSC Slug Rugby 32
4 Rocket Team at UCSC 32
5 UCSC Fencing Club 23
Ended
Leaderboard
Indie 100
The project with the most individual donors giving $100 or more will receive $1,000. Second place will receive $500. Generously sponsored by an anonymous donor.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $1,000 UCSC Slug Rugby 129
2 $500 STEM Diversity - Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 65
3 Alumni Association Scholarship Fund 62
4 UC Santa Cruz NCAA Cross Country and Track & Field 47
5 Okinawa Memories Initiative (OMI) 43
Ended
Success!
Best in Show
Congratulations to CENTER FOR AGROECOLOGY: UCSC FARM for their engaging and fun video!
Completed
Leaderboard
Early Riser
The project with the most individual donors between 7 and 8 am will receive $1,000. 2nd place will receive $500. Generously sponsored by an anonymous donor.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $1,000 Okinawa Memories Initiative (OMI) 49
2 $500 UCSC Slug Rugby 24
3 Tech4Good Student Programs 23
4 SOL Ultimate Frisbee 12
5 Formula Slug 11
Ended
Leaderboard
Mid-day Motivator
The project with the most individual donors between 12 noon and 2 pm will receive $2,500, second place will receive $1,000 and third place will receive $500. Third place generously sponsored by UC Santa Cruz Foundation Trustees Panda Kroll and Janet Buck.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $2,500 Formula Slug 155
2 $1,000 STEM Diversity - Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 146
3 $500 UCSC Slug Rugby 99
4 Undergrads Supporting System-Impacted Filmmakers 64
5 Okinawa Memories Initiative (OMI) 49
Ended
Leaderboard
Mad Dash
The project with the most individual donors between 6 and 8 pm will receive $2,500, second place will receive $1,000 and third place will receive $500. Generously sponsored by an anonymous donor.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $2,500 Rocket Team at UCSC 213
2 $1,000 STEM Diversity - Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 203
3 $500 Pilipino Cultural Celebration 97
4 City on a Hill Press 69
5 UCSC Slug Rugby 54
Ended
Leaderboard
Final Frenzy
The project with the most individual donors on Giving Day (12am-12am) will receive $10,000, second place will receive $5,000 and third place will receive $2,000. First place award generously sponsored by the UC Santa Cruz Foundation Board Opportunity Fund.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $10,000 STEM Diversity - Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 462
2 $5,000 UCSC Slug Rugby 405
3 $2,000 Formula Slug 300
4 Rocket Team at UCSC 289
5 Undergrads Supporting System-Impacted Filmmakers 201
Ended
Leaderboard
Indie 500
The project with the most individual donors giving $500 or more will receive $2,500. 2nd place will receive $1,000.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $2,500 UCSC Slug Rugby 16
2 $1,000 Okinawa Memories Initiative (OMI) 15
3 Alumni Association Scholarship Fund 13
4 CalTeach Landesman Fund for Math/Science Teachers 13
5 Academic Excellence (ACE) Program 12
Ended
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