FARMINGTON — The University of Maine at Farmington announces the grand opening of the Thrifty Beaver Co-op, a new food pantry and thrift store for UMF students.

The co-op was envisioned and developed by the UMF Sustainable Campus Coalition. It was created to provide a self-sustaining solution for students on a tight budget and in need of adequate food and clothing.

It operates on a non-monetary swap basis, where students can take an item/leave an item.

“This has really been a campus-wide effort to help our students who are most in need,” said Luke Kellett, UMF sustainability coordinator. “Students have a lot of expenses at a time when their income is often insufficient. Sometimes a little help can make a huge difference in a student’s life and how well they succeed.”

The co-op shelves are stocked through campus and community donations. Gently-used clothing, shoes and small items are available to students at the thrift store. The food pantry offers students an assortment of healthy, canned, packaged and easy to prepare foods.

In addition, fresh fruit and vegetables are provided through a partnership with UMF’s dining service. United Way of the Tri-Valley Area is also helping provide food for the new campus venture.

According to “Hunger on Campus,” a recent national report, almost half of college students surveyed reported food insecurity — the lack of affordable, nutritious food. To help make ends meet, many campuses across the country are starting up campus food pantries to help students in need. Today there are more than 350 campus food pantries across the country, as reported by the College and University Food Bank Alliance.

Collection boxes for UMF’s Thrifty Beaver Co-op are located on campus at the UMF Mantor Library, Spenciner Curriculum Center in the Kalikow Education Center and Sustainable Campus Coalition office in the Olsen Student Center.

The co-op is located on the lower level of the UMF Technology Commons and is open from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.