MCC’s Grab n’ Go Initiative Expands Food Services

 

Middlesex Community College’s Healthy Foods Grab n’ Go Initiative provides students and employees with access to free healthy food options on the Bedford and Lowell campuses. Grant funding from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, the Merrimack Valley Food Bank (MVFB), Mill City Grows, and Love All Serve All (LASA) has allowed Middlesex to increase food options and locations on campus.

“The Grab n’ Go location expansions provide more food to students and employees in several other areas,” said Jonathan Crockett, MCC’s Coordinator of Essential Needs & Community Resources. “We plan to continue growing and making food convenient for folks to get to while destigmatizing access to free foods. These partnerships are a game changer in terms of what we can offer our community.”

With the support of local organizations – including MVFB and Mill City Grows – the initiative continues to focus on sharing healthy foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables. Mill City Grows will deliver culturally relevant produce every Tuesday morning. On Wednesdays, MCC picks up and provides offerings from MVFB.

In the past year, with grant funding and donations from MVFB, MCC has provided the students and employees with over 27 tons of food. Bob Bruder, MCC’s Coordinator of Access to Healthy Foods, also purchased two tons of food, while Mill City Grows donated about 700 pounds of produce. MCC’s Bedford Campus community garden also contributes produce that is distributed on the Lowell campus.

“We plan to continue growing and making food convenient for folks to get to while destigmatizing access to free foods. These partnerships are a game changer in terms of what we can offer our community.” - Jonathan Crockett, MCC's Coordinator of Essential Needs & Community Resources.

During the academic year, students and employees can find food and snack options around campus, such as granola bars and apple sauce. Locations include the Student Information Center, MCC Libraries on both campuses, and the Lowell Academic Centers for Enrichment. Bruder also hosted 10 make-your-own sandwich events on the college’s campuses. Offerings included sandwiches made from deli meat or peanut butter and jelly.

“The events supported different activities and gatherings at MCC,” Bruder said. “They were all well received and people in the community appreciated the food. We were making about 100 sandwiches at each event.”

As part of a new partnership with the Lowell-based organization LASA, MCC receives food donations every Wednesday. This opportunity allows MCC to harvest fruit and vegetables from the college’s own garden. Produce is offered on a table near MCC’s food pantry located in the Lowell Cowan Center Lobby.

“We have been pleased to see how enthusiastic people are about the food resources in the MCC community,” said Crockett. “The connections that have come from the Grab n’ Go Initiative and spaces we provide the food in excites us. Going forward, we have a lot of ideas and are glad to continue expanding.”