This blog was written by Katy Williams, the Director of Civic Engagement & Student Assistance at Sul Ross State University. She is a member of the Swipe Out Hungers National Leadership Council and has been managing a campus food pantry for four years. Katy loves the impact the pantry has on students and helping bridge connections through resources.
Spices weren’t always part of our plan, they were something our pantry accidentally fell into.
One of our earliest food bank orders included an unknown miscellaneous bin. When it arrived, that mysterious bin turned out to be a watermelon crate filled with assorted spices and seasonings. Once these seasonings ran out, the pantry began keeping regular stock of salt and pepper. It wasn’t until we hosted an event called The Spice Rack that we fully understood just how essential spices are to our pantry and our students’ overall food experience.
How It Works
The Spice Rack originated with limited resources. We were unable to afford a similar program offered through The College Agency called Spice it Up! As a result, we were inspired to create a more accessible alternative for our campus. The objective of the event was to offer students an opportunity to mix their own spices and seasoning blends.
The Spice Rack is a come-and go-event. Some colorful tables and energetic student staff encouraged students to stop by and make their own seasoning. Using pre-made recipe cards, students measured out ingredients and created their own seasonings to take home. We used AI to help generate seasoning recipes that had similar ingredients and then ordered those items in bulk from Sam’s Club. Four spice racks were assembled and organized for students to easily access the range of ingredients. Students would then use measuring spoons and mixing cups to combine their spices and then pour their creation into a resealable pouch.
How It Went
The Spice Rack was hosted in collaboration with our Campus Activities. In total, 77 students participated in the event which took place in the evening around dinner time.
As students sat and mixed their seasoning, they started sharing about what they were making and how they planned to use it. Discussions ranged from understanding measurements of a teaspoon and tablespoon to limitations in their ability to cook. Students that did not have kitchens discussed taking their creations home to cook with during Spring Break. Other students offered tips on how ingredients could be used, such as Italian and Herb with pastas. Some students innovated on their own, while another student noticed there was a Cajun seasoning recipe and asked about “Slap Ya Mama’s”. We offered them a blank ingredient card and told them to find the mixture online and write it out. The students then crafted their own version of the mix with available ingredients. Once tested by their peers, many more students wanted to make that same recipe, excited to have access to a seasoning that “they don’t sell in our grocery store.” Once the event ended, all leftover spices were packaged and placed on the pantry shelves for future distribution.
What We Discovered
This event really spiced up the conversation of what our students need. Beyond bringing people together and encouraging creativity, The Spice Rack revealed valuable insights we can advocate for and incorporate into our food pantry and related programming. It became clear that many students would benefit from basic food literacy education and guidance on how to use seasonings. Pairing spices with related food products could help students feel more confident in making the most of what our pantry has to offer. We also learned that we can better advocate for students especially for communal cooking spaces and particular items at our local grocery store.
What began as a more affordable alternative activity for students, turned into a meaningful learning experience for our campus pantry staff. While trying to stretch our resources, we gained a wealth of knowledge and a deeper understanding of how small ingredients can make a big difference.
To explore more practical tools and strategies to support students on your campus visit our Resources Page.
