Walking into the basement of the Oklahoma State University Student Union, you’ll see shelves brimming with groceries. This is Pete’s Pantry, which offers students, faculty, and staff easy access to healthy food—just swipe your OSU ID.
At OSU, about 54% of students face food insecurity during their college years. Brian Blevins, the coordinator for campus life’s basic needs resources, remarks, “The Student Government Association identified this gap. In 2019, they turned a small office into Pete’s Pantry, initially filled with just tables and canned goods.”
Pete’s Pantry collaborates with local partners to provide fresh produce. Each month, a student intern at the Greenhouse Learning Center picks buckets of hydroponically grown lettuce, which is then donated to the pantry. Stephen Stanphill, the greenhouse manager, notes that they joined the Intern OSU program to involve students more in hands-on projects.
Elli Winbolt, a horticulture sophomore, took on the intern role at the greenhouse in August 2025. “Urban horticulture lets you grow food year-round,” Winbolt explains. Inside the Greenhouse Learning Center, they use a hydroponic system that moves nutrient-rich water through tubes, allowing the lettuce to thrive.
Daily tasks include checking water levels, as lettuce requires a lot of moisture to stay fresh. The intern also helps select the best lettuce varieties. Initially, they experimented with seven types and eventually chose Black Seed Simpson and Buttercrunch, which have proven popular. “Their flavor is excellent, and they’re well-liked,” says Winbolt.
Planting begins by placing seeds into foam cubes, where they’re misted until they sprout. The harvesting process is quick—around 30 minutes yields three buckets of lettuce every four to five weeks. Stanphill emphasizes that such sustainable systems can address community food needs while illustrating how hydroponics is reshaping agriculture.
With rising food prices affecting many students, initiatives like this are crucial. According to a recent survey from the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, about 39% of college students nationwide report experiencing food insecurity. This growing trend underscores the importance of services like Pete’s Pantry.
Blevins adds, “Our objective is to ensure reliable access to food, whether it’s shelf-stable goods or fresh produce.” Community donations are appreciated to keep the pantry stocked and effective in meeting the needs of the Cowboy Family.
This model offers not just food but also practical experience for students involved in agriculture and sustainability efforts. You can learn more about how to support Pete’s Pantry here.
