Campus Happenings
Fresh Produce for Students
RALEIGH, N.C. (September 19, 2024) – Students took home fresh fruits and vegetables Thursday at a free pop-up produce market on Southern Wake Campus.
The Care Center partnered with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina to organize the event.
One in every 10 people in Wake County lacks food security, according to Feeding America, a nationwide network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs.
To promote healthy eating, the college offered students cabbage, sweet potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, bananas, watermelon and farm-fresh eggs. A representative from the Food Bank was on site to share information about food resources, food pantry locations and how to apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps.
"In addition to providing the fresh fruits and vegetables to students, we're working more this year on nutrition education options to help students understand healthy eating and how to prepare healthy meals," said Melody Wiggins, director of Student Support Programs at Wake Tech.
Wiggins said students will have numerous opportunities this year to stock up on nutritious food on campus. In addition to pop-up produce events on different campuses each month, the Care Center will offer dairy products, peanut butter and jelly, and healthy packaged foods to students a couple times a month, thanks to another partnership with the Food Bank and Sheetz.
Students can check Xtra for upcoming dates and locations.
Students in need can also shop for free at The Nest food pantries on the Southern Wake, Scott Northern Wake, Perry Health Sciences and RTP campuses. Wake Tech's Health and Fitness Science program recently planted a vegetable garden on Southern Wake Campus to reinforce the benefits of eating fresh produce.
