Studies show that half of all college students nationwide deal with food insecurity. The emergency allotment included in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to COVID expired in February, giving students less resources to a healthy diet.
Community College of Aurora students and employees can address food insecurity at Foxy’s Mobile Market, a free mobile market where fresh produce, meats, dairy, bread, canned goods, dry goods, and desserts are available. The mobile market visits both campuses twice each month, providing up to 10 days’ worth of food.
“The response to CCA’s food security services has been incredible,” said Megan Cuddihee Dempsey, Coordinator of Basic Needs and Student Wellness. “Staff, faculty, and instructors see and understand the need to support students and their basic needs. Students are taking advantage of these resources.”
Since the first market on February 2, Foxy’s Mobile Market has provided nutritious meals to 888 families. It comes to the CentreTech and Lowry campuses twice a month through the end of May.
The mobile market is one step in helping CCA reach the Colorado Department of Higher Education’s Hunger Free Campus designation. In order to be designated as a Hunger Free Campus, CCA must: Run a food pantry, provide SNAP enrollment assistance, hold one awareness event each year, and collect and report on food insecurity.
In January, the Office of Student Advocacy and the CCA Library partnered to highlight the college’s resources for food insecurity. Beau Green, Director of Student Advocacy, said a Student Needs Assessment is being conducted this spring, collecting qualitative and quantitative data around student experiences with food insecurity and other essential basic needs like housing, transportation, health care, and child care.
Campus snack stations at CCA also provide relief for students and employees. The campus snack stations housed within the Division of Student Success at the CentreTech (Student Center S101 and Student Success Lowry West Quad) have served over 1,146 visitors since the beginning of Spring 2023 classes.
Beau Green, Director of Student Advocacy, says additional snack stations at CCA’s Colorado Film School, the North Quad, and the Center for Simulation will be added at the Lowry campus by the end of April.
“We would love to see continued community support and attendance at Foxy’s Mobile Market,” Green said.
To find out more information about CCA’s food resources, contact the Office of Student Advocacy.