Food Forward to SMC

The group of volunteers that help collect, organize, and keep track of how many boxes are being donated from each vendor are called the Glean Team from Food Forward. On October 25, 2017 they start their run nearing the end of the Farmers Market in Santa Monica, Calif. Eric Barber (L), first-time volunteer, prepares folding boxes to give out to participating vendors as Leann Bogart (R), SMC student and Food Forward volunteer keeps count. (Photo: Jazz Shademan)

Director of Student Assistance at Santa Monica College, Ana Laura Paiva, helps load a trunk full of boxes carrying produce. The boxes are collected from participating farmers in the Food Forward program. On October 25, 2017 over thirty boxes were collected at the Santa Monica Farmers Market in Santa Monica, Calif. The boxes are then transported to Santa Monica College for the Free Corsair Farmers Market located in the Organic Learning Center. (Photo: Jazz Shademan)

On October 4, 2017 in Santa Monica Calif, Santa Monica College holds their weekly Free Corsair Farmers Market from 2:30pm to 3:30pm at the Organic Learning Garden. Students with an SMC ID can take one of each item. The vegetables and fruits are provided by the local food bank and Santa Monica farmers markets. (Photo: Jazz Shademan)

Santa Monica College holds their weekly Free Corsair Farmers Market from 2:30pm to 3:30pm at the Organic Learning Garden. On October 4, 2017 in Santa Monica, Calif. students with an SMC ID can take one of each item. SMC student Christian Perlera (left) says "I've been coming here since the Spring semester, and I usually wait an hour before the long line starts." The vegetables and fruits are provided by the local food bank and Santa Monica farmers markets. (Photo: Jazz Shademan)

On October 4, 2017 in Santa Monica Calif., Santa Monica College holds their weekly Free Corsair Farmers Market from 2:30pm to 3:30pm at the Organic Learning Garden. Students with an SMC ID can take one of each item. Brooke Harrington, 19 year old SMC student an Environmental Science major, helps to cut some cauliflower into smaller pieces. The vegetables and fruits are provided by the local food bank and Santa Monica farmers markets. (Photo: Jazz Shademan)

Every Wednesday from 2 pm to 3 pm, students line up in front of the Organic Learning Garden at Santa Monica College for the Corsair Farmers Market to get free produce that varies every week. From fresh fruits to vegetables and even herbs and bread, there are a variety of options available. Most of the produce comes from Food Forward, an organization that makes it their mission to not allow food to go to waste.

The city of Santa Monica has a farmers market earlier in the day at Second St. and Arizona Ave. from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm every Wednesday. There vendors can give away some of what they brought for a tax write-off to registered recipients. One of the recipients of the Food Forward program is SMC. Volunteers from SMC then bring the food to the weekly Corsair Farmers Market.

Leann Bogart, an SMC student volunteers with Food Forward to go around the booths and collect food before bringing it back to campus. “It makes Wednesdays one of the best days. I get to literally see the fruits of what we’ve done in people’s hands,” said Bogart. “And the people go, ‘wow this is amazing, this is what real food tastes like.’”

Natalie Flores, a manager for the garden assists with the setup and general operations for the Corsair Farmers Market. “It’s wonderful. Not only is it a good opportunity, but it also encourages students to start cooking for themselves to be more self-sufficient and eating healthier,” said Flores.

Students line up before the event starts and leave with bags filled with fresh and organic produce. Eugenia Diaz, an Illustration and Animation major liked how the market is good for people who might not be used to this type of food. “There’s a lot of variety and a lot of people don’t know how to cook or even eat, so they make poor food choices and it’ll be nice to take a look and scramble some recipes together,” said Diaz.

Ana Laura Paiva, the Director for Student Assistance has assisted with the event by handing out food and going down to the city’s farmers market. She enjoys how it helps students in a variety of ways. “You’re also educating about what it means to be sustainable. Bringing your own bag, buying local. It’s amazing how many students say how helpful it is. They get produce and they are set for the week,” said Paiva. “And everyone likes food, especially when it’s free. It’s another one of the perks at Santa Monica College.