״Once we identify those families who are interested in accessing this resource they will be on a schedule. They will know when to come in it will be before school and after school,״ said Tyson Fechter, Principal at MLK Jr. Middle School. He emphasized the importance of structured access to the grocery store for families, noting its significant role in mitigating food insecurity during critical hours for students.
״The students that might leave class and are out in the hallways a lot of the times, they are looking for food. They bounce around from class to class. Mrs. Monterosa, 'Do you have any milk? Do you have any cereal?' They are looking for food and while they are doing that, they are missing out on class time,״ said Fechter. This statement underscores how food insecurity impacts students' academic performance and engagement.
In a community where 39% of residents are low-income and living well below the poverty line, the school's internal surveys pinpointed food insecurity as one of the biggest setbacks for students' learning, revealing how deeply connected hunger and education are within this demographic.
The school's supermarket is the result of a partnership with the SFUSD, Amazon, and the nonprofit Goodr that has launched 12 other free grocery stores throughout the country. It illustrates a collaborative effort to address food accessibility challenges faced by underprivileged communities.
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