The Austin Chronicle has recognized Austin Community College District’s (ACC) Riverbat Bites Food Pantry as a 2026 Best of Austin Critics’ Pick. It earned honors in the category of “Best Passing of the Plate.”
The annual Best of Austin awards celebrate organizations, businesses, and individuals making a meaningful impact on Austin’s culture and community. The Austin Chronicle recognized Riverbat Bites for helping address food insecurity among college students and ensuring learners have access to the resources they need to stay focused on their education.
“College students face more than academic challenges. Many are balancing work, family responsibilities, housing costs, and access to necessities,” says Vanessa Barrientos, manager of Food Access. “Riverbat Bites was created to help remove those barriers so students can focus on reaching their goals.”
Riverbat Bites is ACC’s free food pantry program, which launched in August 2025 to provide actively enrolled students, faculty, and staff with access to shelf-stable food, fresh produce, and hygiene products at campuses across the district. There’s no application, income check, or questions asked.
The Austin Chronicle selected Riverbat Bites for its role in helping students navigate one of the most pressing challenges facing many Texans. The publication noted that Texas has the largest food-insecure population in the nation and highlighted ACC’s efforts to ensure students have reliable access to nutritious food while pursuing their education.
Learn more about Riverbat Bites, pantry locations, and available resources at austincc.edu/foodpantry.