San Diegans continue to seek out food assistance from Feeding San Diego, with almost 1,500 households shopping at the nonprofit’s free grocery store, the Feeding San Diego Marketplace, monthly since the start of the new year.

Located at the Feeding San Diego distribution center in Sorrento Valley, adjacent to Mira Mesa, the Feeding San Diego Marketplace was expanded one year ago thanks to grant funding from the state of California. Since then, the operation has been able to increase its hours, and the number of people it serves. On average over the past three months, the 690 square-foot Marketplace has served around 100 households each of the four days it’s open during the week. Most shoppers come from the surrounding 92126 ZIP code.

To provide a wide variety of nutritious food, the non-profit works with local and national food donors to source food for the Marketplace. Local volunteers regularly drive to local grocery stores, including Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, Aldi, and Jimbo’s, to pick up food donations and get them back to the Marketplace. The shelves are stocked with fresh produce, pantry staples, frozen protein, and packaged snacks, with offerings varying by the day depending on what is rescued. Nearly 90% of the food that’s available at the Marketplace is rescued food, meaning it is surplus food that would have otherwise gone to waste had the organization not stepped in to rescue it.

The free grocery store provides a shopping experience similar to a grocery store to people seeking food assistance, who can visit once a month by making an appointment. There are no income requirements for people to be able to shop and shoppers can choose their items, rather than being given pre-selected food boxes as is common at free food distributions. Information collected by Feeding San Diego over the past year indicates that the largest age group served is 18-49, with the second largest demo being seniors 65 and older. In April of last year, the Marketplace served 963 households. Last month, almost 1,500 households were served.

“The idea for the Feeding San Diego Marketplace was conceived for the people who often come to our distribution center seeking immediate food assistance,” said Patty O’Connor, COO of Feeding San Diego. “Rather than providing a box of food they did not select themselves, we saw an opportunity to create a dignified shopping experience that allows people to grocery shop without any cost to them. The use of our space for this purpose fulfills our mission to end hunger through food rescue and gives our staff and volunteers meaningful interactions with the people we serve. We’ve heard from so many neighbors that being able to access food from the Marketplace is a weight lifted off their shoulders. This is a win/win for people and the planet.”

With potential cuts to social programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid, Feeding San Diego is anticipating increased demand for its hunger relief programs. The non-profit relies primarily on private support from individuals, corporations, organizations, and foundations. Donations of food and funds are welcomed, particularly large food donations from grocery stores and food manufacturers and distributors. The initial opening of the Marketplace in 2022 was made possible thanks to funding from the Aqualia International Foundation LTD.