18th Annual OSU Empty Bowls

This year, our benefit is made possible by on campus and Ecampus students in FCSJ 406. Food Projects, a service and experiential learning course.

The benefit itself has two parts: this online auction and simple soup dinner served in a souvenir ceramic bowl (Saturday, March 9 from 5-7pm in McNary Dining Center, tickets on a sliding scale $5-$20 at the door).

As is traditional, we have two beneficiaries: OSU’s Basic Needs Center (which operates the campus food pantry, among other programs), and Fresh & Local, First! (a non-profit which works to connect low-income
households with small farmers through initiatives like SNAP match at farmers’ markets in Oregon’s Linn and Benton counties).

Our mission is to make fresh, local food the first choice for all residents of Benton and Linn counties. Fresh fruits and vegetables are necessary for good health, but more expensive than many processed foods of lower nutritional value. We aim to incentivize low income residents to shop at local farmers' markets by doubling the value of their SNAP benefits up to ten dollars.