DAVIS, Calif. — Local organizations are stepping up to make sure more neighbors are able to afford healthy fresh food.
"When people are struggling to afford their groceries, unfortunately a lot of times, they feel like they have to cut out healthy foods from their diet to be able to get through the week and afford what they think they're able to," said Vince Marchese, marketing manager for the Davis Food Co-op.
To help make sure more neighbors are getting the nutrition they need, the Davis Food Co-op is expanding their community discount program, starting this month, to include students and people enrolled in various assistance programs.
It's now a 10% discount for members of the co-op.
"Our goal is to get as many people as possible to take advantage of the program," said Marchese.
Research from Temple University shows 23% of undergraduates nationwide and 12% of graduate students are experiencing food insecurity. This means more than 4 million students are food insecure.
Eligible college students can apply for CalFresh. At UC Davis, there is also a student farm where students can access free fresh fruits and vegetables.
"Additionally, on our campus and many campuses across the state and nation, you can get access to free food at our basic needs center," said Deborah Agee, executive director of Financial Aid and Scholarships at UC Davis.
For now, the discount is ongoing and there is no deadline to apply. To do so, fill out an application and show proof of eligibility online or at the Co-op's customer service desk.
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