Rural East County’s School Pantry: Delivering Nutritious Food to Students’ Homes

The Mountain Empire Unified School District spans over 650 square miles in Southeast San Diego County, where many residents struggle to find fresh, healthy food. Hannah Hong, a mother of two, shares the challenge: “We have just two or three liquor stores and one small grocery market. It takes at least 30 minutes to get food.”

To help families, Clover Flat Elementary School now offers a food pantry in partnership with Feeding San Diego. Parents and students can access this pantry twice a month, providing a much-needed resource in a rural area often classified as a food desert.

At Clover Flat, students can visit the pantry during school hours. Gary Brannon, who oversees student services for the district, mentions, “The students leave class one by one to pick food. They choose what they can carry back.” This process allows kids to select items that fit their needs while ensuring they won’t be overloaded.

The pantry focuses on fresh produce and convenient, pre-packaged items that don’t require extensive cooking. This is crucial as the region frequently experiences power outages. On a recent visit, offerings included apples, bell peppers, canned spaghetti, and fruit cups.

Feeding San Diego operates several school pantries, aiming to make food accessible to families. In the Mountain Empire Unified School District, over 60% of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, highlighting the need for programs like this one. Brannon states that the pantry goes beyond just feeding kids; it acts as a community support hub. “It lets people know they can come here for food, education, or other services,” he explains.

As food insecurity rises nationally, such initiatives are becoming essential. According to a recent survey by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, many households continue to face challenges accessing nutritious food. Programs like those at Clover Flat Elementary highlight the importance of community-driven solutions in addressing these critical needs.

Clover Flat is one of two schools in the district partnering with Feeding San Diego. With over 60 additional pantries across the county and more schools awaiting support, this effort reflects a growing movement to address food deserts and improve access to healthy food.

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