At Weller Road Elementary in Montgomery County, Md., families can pick up free, fresh groceries each month — right where they’re already gathered after school.
The Capital Area Food Bank works with 112 elementary schools across the region to host Family Markets, farmers market-style food distributions that bring groceries directly to school communities. Once a month, the food bank delivers food to participating schools, where school staffers and volunteers distribute fresh produce, pantry staples, and, at some locations, frozen proteins to families.
This spring, the food bank once again has been expanding that program, with additional markets planned to launch across the region this fall.
At Weller Road, the Family Market operates once a month alongside an afterschool program. Since launching in October 2022, the market has grown into a trusted community resource, now serving an average of 161 households each month. The market also connects families with additional support services, including legal clinics and community resources.
The program is deeply community-driven, with middle and high school students volunteering their time to help distribute food, support younger students, and, in many cases, bring groceries home to their own families as well.
Meet two members of the Weller Road Family Market community:
Yanzy, mother of 7- year old twins Jacob and Jaden
For Yanzy, the monthly Family Market has become a dependable source of support for her and her sons, who are in second grade. The groceries help supplement her family’s needs as food prices continue to rise, she says.
“Groceries are expensive, so having this once a month is really helpful, especially with growing boys who eat a lot,” Yanzy shared.
The market provides foods her family regularly uses, including fresh produce that her children enjoy as snacks and meals. Her sons like the pasta and apples, and Yanzy often cooks plantains from the market. She says she especially appreciates the quality of the fruits and vegetables.
“Everything is useful, but the fresh fruits and vegetables are really nice. You can tell they’re fresh,” she said.
The timing of the market has also been convenient, allowing her to combine picking up food and picking her kids up from school.
Amanda, Family Market student intern
Amanda began volunteering at the Family Market as a freshman in high school and is now a senior preparing for nursing school. Over the years, she has taken on a leadership role as a student intern, helping run the market while also supporting other afterschool programming.
Having attended Weller Road herself, Amanda feels closely connected to the community she now serves. Volunteering has allowed her to support other families while also bringing groceries home to her own household.
“I like being part of something that helps so many families,” Amanda said.
As grocery costs continue to rise, Amanda says the support has become increasingly meaningful for her family. Fresh vegetables are especially important in the meals she and her mother prepare together at home.
“I’ve seen how expensive groceries are, so anything like this really helps, especially the fresh vegetables,” she said. “A meal can’t be a meal without vegetables. They’re something you can’t have missing.”
Photo credits: Maansi Srivastava for Capital Area Food Bank