Barney’s Pantry Finds a New Home

Barney’s Pantry has a brand-new location, and it’s bigger, better, and more stocked than ever before.

Yes, as of this month, Barney’s Pantry has officially moved and now has a larger space to serve students with more new food options. The new pantry – in Building 12, filling the longtime former bookstore space off MHCC’s Main Mall central courtyard – feels just like a grocery store, with plenty of room for students to shop for what they need.

I had the opportunity to visit the space and speak with Steve Herff, the pantry’s coordinator, to learn more about the exciting changes. The spacious area allows for more food storage and a wider selection of items. The pantry is able to receive about 3,000 pounds of food twice a week, which has allowed it to expand its offerings. Herff said the pantry’s new approach lets students shop for food just like they would at any other store.

“We’re letting folks shop for themselves, choosing what they want,” he explained. “This way, students have more control over what they’re going to eat, which reduces waste because they’re getting the food they actually want to use.”

The new space has a variety of refrigerators, making it easier to store fresh produce, proteins, and even frozen foods. Herff stressed how the new equipment is a game-changer. In the past, the pantry didn’t have enough fridge space to store perishable items, but now it can stock up on fresh produce from the Oregon Food Bank. This ultimately allows the pantry to provide more healthy options to students.

“Without refrigeration, I couldn’t take fresh food,” Herff said. “Now, we have a freezer, so we can offer frozen vegetables, proteins, and other perishable foods.”

One of the highlights of the new pantry is the way food is distributed. Instead of picking from pre-packaged boxes, students can now grab a basket, walk through the aisles, and pick out exactly what they need. The pantry has a wide selection of canned goods, snacks, fresh produce, and other essentials.

“It’s all about giving students agency over what they’re getting,” Herff said. Besides the reduction in waste, “we’re also making sure that people get what they really want,” he said.

One of the student workers in Barnery’s Pantry said that working there has been a great experience.

“It’s like working at any other store,” Aidan Taylor said. “It’s really easy and convenient for everyone.” Taylor is among just over a dozen student workers at the pantry, who all play an important role in helping keep things running smoothly.

Barney’s Pantry is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, when students can stop by to pick up what they need. Goods are available to all students with an MHCC student ID, and the process is simple. Students are asked to show their ID and provide some basic information, such as their household size, to help track how much food is being distributed.

“We want to make sure the food goes to students who need it, and we keep track of how much we’re giving out,” Herff said.

There remain various snacks and drinks available at other locations around the Mt. Hood campus. Herff noted that while snacks can be a bit tricky to keep in stock, the college is working on making sure students have access to them and hopes to expand to further locations soon.

Meantime, the big new pantry gives students an abundance of food options. As Herff puts it, “There’s plenty of food for everyone. There’s no shortage. If you need something, come in and grab it.”

Dina Ibrahim