What used to be a couple of tables that offered free food once a week at the College of Alameda (CoA) Student Center has been expanded to provide daily free meals and groceries to help combat student food insecurity, according to a report by CoA student Cassandra L. Hernandez, in Peralta GEMS [1], the Community College District newsletter.
[2]This food giveaway, known as Tasty Tuesday, provides catered meals and fresh produce from the college’s garden. CoA President Melanie Dixon “worked hard behind the scenes” over the summer to get the budget increased for better food services, the GEMS report stated.
Tasty Tuesday now offers free meals and groceries every weekday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., while supplies last. The program previously worked with local businesses to get meals on campus, but the new food service will be working with caterer Pacific Fine Food, which will provide a revolving menu. Meals will always include both meat and veggie options, and breakfast will be available from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Students can enjoy their meals in the upstairs café, the Cougars Den, which recently reopened after being closed since the COVID-19 pandemic.
CoA Basic Needs coordinator Jeremy Simmons said he understands that many students feel shy about asking for a free meal, but he’s here to reassure them. “We want to make it easy for you,” he said. All students need to pick up a free meal is their CoA Student ID with the current semester sticker.
[3]During previous Tasty Tuesdays, students who didn’t have their ID with them were allowed to show their school email/Canvas accounts as identification, but this exception will no longer apply, according to the GEMS report. This ensures that current College of Alameda students are prioritized for the free meals, as there is a limited stock.
For those who don’t wish to get a free meal from the Student Help Center, other campus services also offer a variety of food and support. CoA will still offer free fresh produce along with free tote bags every second and fourth Tuesday of the month, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., outside of the F-Building/Student Help Center, according to the GEMS report. The produce will include items such as shelf-stable milk, rice, beans, fruits, and vegetables offered in limited amounts per person.
The Pantry in room F-122 also will remain open every weekday except Tuesdays. Shopping baskets are available outside the door, and students may “shop” from free products including shelf-stable foods, used clothing (for men, women, and children), as well as laundry detergent, toothpaste, soap, and feminine hygiene products.