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Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive disease characterized by an intense fibrotic stromal response and deregulated metabolism^,,,. The role of the stroma in PDAC biology is complex and it has been shown to play critical roles that differ depending on the biological context^,,,,,. The stromal reaction also impairs the vasculature, leading to a highly hypoxic, nutrient-poor environment^,,. As such, these tumours must alter how they capture and use nutrients to support their metabolic needs^,. Here we show that stroma-associated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are critical for PDAC metabolism through the secretion of non-essential amino acids (NEAA). Specifically, we uncover a previously undescribed role for alanine, which outcompetes glucose and glutamine-derived carbon in PDAC to fuel the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and thus NEAA and lipid biosynthesis. This shift in fuel source decreases …