Forty percent of University of North Florida students are struggling with food insecurity and reducing their food intake, according to Kevin Anderson, senior coordinator of Ogier Gardens at UNF.

Ogier Gardens helps students access fresh food through several programs, including Adopt-A-Bed, which allows students to grow vegetables and other plants they can take home for free. The gardens also donate produce to Lend-A-Wing, UNF’s student food pantry, according to Anderson.

“We survey students about their health on campus, and the food insecurity rate among college students has been over 40% of our student population,” Anderson said.

Ogier Gardens started in 2012 in a small lot near Eco Adventure. After the university expressed interest in expanding the gardens, Ogier Gardens was given about an acre of space, Anderson said.

Anderson has worked with the gardens since 2013. He oversees eight part-time staff members and also serves as head beekeeper.

Ogier Gardens grows about 240 kinds of crops, many of which are selected based on what the average person can grow at home, Anderson said.

Ogier Gardens is open from 8 to 11 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

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