WHAT ARE SCHOOL MARKETS?
The Food For Free School Markets program features farmers’ market-style pop-up events that are hosted at schools during after school pick-up times once a month.
They are free, open to the community, and function like food pantries, allowing families to select from a variety of fresh produce, eggs, and pantry staples.
WHY SCHOOL MARKETS?
Throughout the school year, Food For Free collaborates with 7 different schools across Cambridge and Somerville to host monthly School Markets for their families and local communities.
These markets provide a convenient way for parents and caregivers to access food for their household while picking children up at school, without requiring an extra stop on their way home.
During the summer, Food For Free hosts 4 monthly School Markets where school families and community members can continue to come pick up fresh produce and shelf stable necessities free of charge while schools are closed.
The markets take place on weekdays at elementary and middle schools throughout Somerville and Cambridge.
The School Markets program represents part of Food For Free’s efforts to meet our neighbors right where they are and make it easier for them to access healthy, nutritious food.
By offering nutritious food in a convenient, accessible setting, we’re helping families nourish their kids and grow healthier communities.
HOW SCHOOL MARKETS WORK
Food For Free has established ongoing partnerships with public school systems in Cambridge and Somerville. Our operations team works with a School Liaison at each partner school to coordinate logistics for each School Market, such as timing and what specific foods are in demand within each school community.
On the day of a School Market, Food For Free’s logistics team delivers pallets of bulk food to the school grounds. The partner school hosts the School Market, and their team of staff and volunteers set up the food and assist school families and community members with participating in the market.
When the School Market opens, community members are greeted by a school staff member or volunteer who checks them in. No proof of identification is required to limit potential barriers to food access. At the end of the School Market, excess food is used in afterschool programs or is distributed to school families through the school’s administration team or campus food pantry.
FAST FACTS
- Food For Free facilitates 80-90 School Markets in a year in Somerville and Cambridge.
- 59% of food distributed at Food For Free School Markets was fresh produce in 2024.
- Food For Free distributes 350,000 pounds of food per year through School Markets.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
- If you are interested in corporate sponsorship for the School Markets program, please contact our Development team.
"The Cambridge and Somerville communities have huge economic ranges. A lot of people don’t realize how much of an issue it is. You can walk down the street and not know that someone is food insecure. Individuals, municipalities, foundations, and others need to keep supporting food pantries and like-minded organizations. When at Food For Free School Markets, seeing the long lines of people lined up early is very eye-opening. There’s still a great need."