SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — In the San Francisco district of Portola, a free grocery store ensures that students no longer have to go hungry.
“Once we identify families interested in using this resource, a schedule will be created for them. They will know when to come by – before and after school,” said Tyson Fechter, principal of MLK Jr. Middle School.
Depending on income, more than 70% of families at MLK Jr. Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The school estimates that more than 300 families could benefit from the supermarket.
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“I’m not working right now and this is really a big help for my family,” said mother Jessica Matos.
In a community where 39% of residents are low-income and live well below the poverty line, the school’s internal surveys found that food insecurity is one of the biggest barriers to student learning development.
“The students who leave class and often wander the hallways are looking for food. They’re hopping from class to class. Ms. Monterosa: ‘Do you have milk? Do you have cereal?’ They’re looking for food and while they’re doing that, they’re missing class time,” Fechter said.
“Many of our Bayview families have traditionally been underserved in many ways and are struggling with the changing economic conditions in the city,” said Jibraan Lee, Beacon Director of the YMCA of Greater SF.
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The school’s supermarket is the result of a partnership with SFUSD, Amazon and the nonprofit organization Goodr, which has opened 12 other free grocery stores across the country.
“I hope next year you’ll have one less thing to worry about knowing where to get free groceries for your family,” says Jasmine Crowe-Houston, founder and CEO of Goodr.
Although this is the first free supermarket in a school in California for this group, it may not be the last.
Luz Pena: “Is there a possibility that something like this could happen at other schools in the city?”
“We would love it if that were true. We would have to wait and see what happens next,” said Sally Kay of Amazon Public Policy & External Relations, adding: “We are constantly assessing the needs of our partners and hope to see what we can achieve together in the future.”
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A group of parents left MLK Jr. Middle School full of gratitude with shopping bags full of frozen foods, fruits, vegetables and cleaning supplies.
“I never thought I could get something like this at my son’s school. This is a great help to me and other families,” said mother Gabriela Hernandez.
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