College free food market flourishes: Skyline, Second Harvest collaboration combats stigma around food insecurity

Sitting with a full cart under crisp blue skies as fellow shoppers buzzed around the bundles of carrots, oranges, Brussels sprouts, cartons of milk, frozen packs of chicken and plenty more, Gleason expressed her gratitude.

“I think it’s great. It helps save money and makes it easier to pay the bills,” said Gleason, who so deeply appreciates the initiative that she feels compelled to give back by donating money or time when she can.

Gleason’s experience largely meets the vision for the modern food pantry collaboratively established by officials with the food bank and the college’s SparkPoint Center, which supports students needing additional resources.

SparkPoint Director Chad Thompson said the open-air market is designed to serve all who have depended on the program while also recruiting those who may otherwise be reluctant to seek out its service.

“We are trying to knock down some of the stigma with receiving free groceries, so we set it up to feel like a farmers’ market,” said Thompson.

With tents peaking over boxes full of fresh fruit and vegetables placed thoughtfully near packaged snacks, canned food, dairy products and meat, Thompson said the environment is designed to appear more welcoming and inviting.

Turnout suggests the goal is being achieved, said Thompson, as hundreds more people are showing up each week and collecting groceries. He said about 225 houses were served the first week and that amount was nearly surpassed within the first hour of the event Thursday, Feb. 28. He noted one household served often means a handful of people are receiving food, which suggests several hundred locals are getting fed each week.

As the event grows, Thompson said the demographics of those served evolves too as the first few weeks the market was largely attended by those who visited the previous version when it piloted at a nearby campus. Recently he said more curious college students are stopping by between classes to sort through the collection of food available for free to all visitors after only a brief registration.

He added the visibility of the market operating in a common area during the middle of the day proved effective in drawing attention and recruiting those who may not be aware of the additional resources provided by SparkPoint too.

“We’ve been much more busy with much, much more foot traffic and we attribute that to the free community market,” he said.

Olivia Teter, head of client innovation for Second Harvest Food Bank, said the event helped expand her program’s reach as well.

“You can really see there is a need in the community,” said Teter, looking onto the bustle of shoppers and volunteers streaming through two lines of grocery service.

To that end, Teter said the food bank serves about 270,000 residents facing food insecurity in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, but the demand for assistance is projected to be in the range of 700,000 people.

With the efficiency that those needing help can be served, as well as the effectiveness in attracting new visitors, Teter said she expects the farmers’ market model will likely be replicated to more food bank outposts.

She said representatives from Cañada College have already visited and asked for a similar event to be hosted on their campus in Redwood City, and believes more schools and community organizations will want the program as well.

“It’s a model we want to replicate and continue to grow,” she said.

The Skyline program experienced hurdles in its development though, acknowledged Teter, who said she is focused on assuring everyone remains respectful and good-natured when shopping.

She noted while the market is presented in a welcoming fashion, at the core of most visits lies the need to rely on assistance to eat or feed a family, the dire nature of which can invite defensiveness and tense moments.

“This is survival. It’s a baseline issue,” said Teter, who said a clash at a prior event encouraged her to host a briefing with volunteers reminding everyone of the sensitivities around addressing food insecurity.

But as visitors calmly browsed through the offerings at the market while music played from a station offering free coffee and snacks to those waiting patiently for their number to be called, Teter observed the proceedings proudly.

“It’s working,” she said.

The Free Community Market operates from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. each Thursday in the common area outside building four at Skyline Community College, 3300 College Drive, San Bruno.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

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