WHAT ARE CARROT CARDS?
An evolution of our Weekend Eats backpack program, Food For Free’s Carrot Cards program provides reloadable debit cards, called “Carrot Cards,” to Cambridge and Somerville public school families that can be used at any food retailer.
Carrot Cards offer financial resources for student families to make their own food choices that are appropriate for their dietary needs and cultural preferences.
Carrot Cards are loaded with $25 each month for each student enrolled in the program. By helping kids thrive with proper nutrition, we’re investing in their academic success and overall well-being.
WHY CARROT CARDS?
Students need sufficient nutrition in order to be able to focus on their studies. Massachusetts became the eighth state in the country to require universal free school meals as of the 2023-2024 academic year, providing access to food for all students while they are in school. However, these meals are not available to students on weekends, leaving a gap in nutrition for some students who face food insecurity.
Food For Free has worked closely with Cambridge and Somerville School Liaisons to better understand how to reach food-insecure students and families and meet the ongoing need in our community. During the COVID-19 pandemic when schools closed for safety, Food For Free lost a significant component of our physical food distribution process: kids being in school.
With the local need increasing and more families inquiring about resources, we introduced Carrot Cards—a reloadable debit card renewed monthly by Food For Free that provides school families with funds to purchase food.
The Carrot Cards program has proven to be a successful way to empower families to choose healthier foods—options that were limited in backpacks that needed to be shelf stable. Carrot Cards also don’t identify participating students as experiencing food insecurity. Since the full transition from a weekend backpack program to Carrot Cards in Fall 2022, Food For Free has been able to reach more food-insecure families than ever before. By providing reloadable debit cards to student families, we ensure families and students maintain independence and autonomy in their dietary choices, including culturally-familiar food items.
HOW DO CARROT CARDS WORK?
School Liaisons at Cambridge and Somerville public schools determine who is eligible for the Carrot Cards program. Once students are enrolled, Food For Free distributes Carrot Cards to the enrolled families. The cards are replenished with funds each month during the school year.
FAST FACTS
- Over 1,300 Cambridge and Somerville public school students are enrolled in the Carrot Cards program in the 2024-2025 school year.
- We provided over $476,000 in grocery funds through Carrot Cards in the 2023-2024 school year.
- 90% of participants say they purchased more fruits and vegetables because of the Carrot Card program.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
- If you are interested in corporate sponsorship for the Carrot Cards program, please contact our Development team.
"There is a common myth that everyone in Cambridge is wealthy. It is not true. In my elementary school alone, we have over 20 students in shelters and many others that are doubled up or living in other temporary housing. Additionally, we have many families working full time, or have multiple jobs, that are barely able to afford basic necessities. The Carrot Card program is a simple, effective and dignified way to ease a bit of financial burden for our families. Hungry students cannot learn or be their best selves! We hope that this program will get continued support for the health of our students."