Frequently Asked Questions
General
When do you open and what are your hours?
We are excited to announce we'll be opening September 18th! Our store hours will be Wednesday-Friday: 12-7 PM and Saturday: 12-3 PM.
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Where is Anabel's?
The store is located on the first floor of Anabel Taylor Hall, next to the Durland Alternatives Library. The line for curbside pickup will start by the Campus Road entrance nearest to Cornell Health. There will be signs helping to direct you there!
Who can shop at Anabel's?
Anabel’s Grocery is open to ANY Cornell student, faculty, and staff member. We welcome and encourage customers of all backgrounds shop here! You do not need to be food insecure to shop at Anabel’s, but we hope that our low prices allow students with any budget to find food they can afford.
Pricing
What are the prices like?
We price all essential items in the store at or below Wegmans prices. This means that any item of comparable quality you would find at Wegmans will cost you the same if not less at Anabel’s.
How do you keep prices low?
At its founding, Anabel’s Grocery was allocated money by the undergraduate and graduate student assemblies to create a subsidy fund so we can provide all Cornell students with fresh, nutritious, and affordable food. This fund makes it possible for us to price all of our essential items at or below Wegmans prices. We hope that by alleviating some financial barriers, students can feel more confident and comfortable making healthier choices and exploring their kitchens.
Products
What does Anabel's sell?
Since opening, we have made a considerable effort to offer mostly plant-based whole foods. Fresh produce and whole grains are foods desperately missing from the college diet, especially for those who are food insecure. You will find a variety of seasonal produce from local farms, frozen fruits and vegetables, bulk whole grains, legumes, and spices, as well as snacks, canned goods, eggs, and dairy and non-dairy options. We are always willing to consider student suggestions. The best way to get your voice heard is to stop by the store to fill out a comment card or email us at anabelgrocery@gmail.com.
Why can't I find "x" at Anabel's?
While we do strive to offer products that students want, we also strive to focus on foods that will maximize nutritional benefit. While we do not preach, nor discourage, any dietary lifestyle, research has shown a significant benefit to consuming as many fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes as possible. For more information on this, feel free to visit the EAT-lancet website. Additionally, due to our small size and limited purchasing power, it is challenging to accommodate all students’ wishes and provide low prices on many convenience items. We hope through our educational resources that students feel empowered to cook quick and easy meals for themselves.
Get Involved
Why do we need a student-run grocery store?
A significant portion of Cornell’s student population is considered food insecure, meaning these students face financial stress in knowing where their next meal will come from occasionally to frequently. While there are now many exceptional programs on campus that can alleviate hunger, such as the Swipe Out Hunger Program and Cornell’s Food Pantry, none focus on providing students what is largely absent on our campus: fresh produce and cooking staples. Our mission is to not only provide access to these foods, but empower students to cook for themselves and understand the power of healthy food can have on their physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.
This sounds amazing! How do I get involved?
We’re glad you asked! The students behind Anabel’s operate through a class practicum called AEM 3385: Social Entrepreneurship Practicum: Anabel’s Grocery. The class is offered in both Fall and Spring!