The Austin Chronicle just named Riverbat Bites a 2026 Best of Austin Critics Pick – earning the “Best Passing of the Plate” honor in the paper’s annual roundup of the people and places that make Austin better.
If you haven’t visited a Riverbat Bites pantry, here’s what this recognition is about:
- Riverbat Bites offers free groceries – shelf-stable food, fresh produce, and hygiene products – to any currently enrolled ACC student.
- There’s no application, income check, or questions asked. Just food when you need it, available now at every ACC campus.
That campuswide reach is new, and it didn’t happen by accident. Under the leadership of Food Access manager Vanessa Barrientos, pantries expanded locations across all of ACC in a matter of months, in partnership with Central Texas Food Bank, so that food access isn’t a barrier for ACC students.
“Our staff is incredibly honored and excited to receive this recognition. We are proud to support our students beyond the classroom and to help create equitable opportunities that contribute to their success, growth, and achievement,” says Barrientos. “We believe that small acts of support can have a profound and lasting impact, and we are grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of Riverbat students for generations to come.”
The award and recent expansion are meaningful, but the purpose of Riverbat Bites remains simple: making sure you have what you need to keep learning.
Find your nearest pantry here at austincc.edu/foodpantry.