The Food Security Project at Fresno State received an honorable mention in the 2018 competition for the Excellence in Innovation Award by Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest collegiate honor society.

The initiative, which includes the Student Cupboard, Catered Cupboard and other resources, was one of six semifinalists for the biennial $100,000 award. The honor recognizes an institution for finding powerful answers to important local, regional, national or global challenges.

“To hear that we were in the final six is really an honor,” said program coordinator Jessica Medina. “I’m thankful we have a supportive campus and a community that are able to provide this. It’s all about student success, that means helping them with basic needs.”

The Food Security Program at Fresno State started in August 2014 after a study conducted by public health faculty member Alida Espinoza showed 31 percent of the students she surveyed had food insecurities. Research has shown that students who are hungry or at risk of being hungry experience health problems and academic challenges.

Dr. Joseph I. Castro and his wife, Mary Castro, have spearheaded efforts to meet the basic needs of the University’s students since Castro became president in 2013. Food security is an issue close to their hearts.