ScottyEats, a program UC Riverside’s Basic Needs Department launched in January 2025, aims to reduce food waste and address student food insecurity on campus.
Since its launch, ScottyEats has recovered approximately 1,827 pounds of food from Glasgow Dining Hall and served more than 1,445 meals to students. ScottyEats wrapped up its first run with its last event June 3, and the program will be returning in the fall of the 2025-26 academic school year.
The idea for the program was first introduced by a former Basic Needs student staff member who brought up UCLA’s Bruin Dine initiative. Inspired by its success, the ScottyEats program was proposed by the Basic Needs department, whose mission is to create “a place where students can connect with essential resources that make college life easier.”
Once the Green Campus Action Plan, or GCAP, expressed interest, other campus partners, including Associated Students of UCR, or ASUCR, Dining Services, and the Office of Sustainability, joined the effort. Direct consultation with the team behind Bruin Dine helped the UCR team model the program. (https://basicneeds.ucr.edu/)
Promotion of ScottyEats has included student newsletters, social media campaigns, tabling events, flyers, and digital signage in high-traffic areas. Visibility has also grown through collaborations with student organizations.
ScottyEats operates weekly during the regular academic year on Tuesdays, offering hot entrées and sides recovered from that day’s dinner service at Glasgow, then served in takeout boxes at the Bear's Den near the HUB. While items vary weekly, students can preview the dinner menu online for a general idea of what may be available. Food is recovered after Glasgow closes, under Dining Services supervision, and is served immediately to ensure safety and freshness. The program’s procedures are approved by Environmental Health & Safety, and all staff are food safety certified.
“Having a strong framework and clear communication across departments has helped us maintain high safety standards from the start,” said Vivian Gonzalez, Basic Needs coordinator.
Each Tuesday event is supported by 10–12 student volunteers, including a lead partner volunteer. Most are affiliated with GCAP, ASUCR, Basic Needs, or the Office of Sustainability. Students who want to get involved can express interest through a Google Form on the Basic Needs website. (Please include link)
ScottyEats recipient and international robotics graduate student Anirudh Gudi said he learned about Scotty Eats through a flyer in Sproul Hall.
“I like how they are rescuing potential waste and giving out food while it’s fresh to people in need,” Gudi said. “Although I would like to see more vegetarian options in the future, it’s been a great resource to have.”
According to data provided by Basic Needs, ScottyEats serves both on-campus and off-campus students, though a higher percentage of participants live off campus and often lack meal plans. Most recipients have been undergraduate, first-generation, and international students.
“Seeing the direct impact on students, whether it’s a warm meal during midterms or a student expressing gratitude for helping them get through the week, has been incredibly fulfilling,” Gonzalez said. “It’s also been inspiring to watch our student volunteers grow into leaders.”
Organizers hope to expand ScottyEats to other dining facilities, such as Lothian Dining Hall, and to add more days of service. The last ScottyEats event was held June 3, and the program will be returning in the fall of the 2025-26 academic school year.
For more information on ScottyEats: https://basicneeds.ucr.edu/scottyeats
