Food Collaborative

Say Hello to the Food Collaborative

The Food Collaborative is the combined effort of various College support services, and faculty and administrators. We are dedicated to addressing our students’ basic needs and providing resources for overall success by actively working to educate, promote and advocate for the nourishment of all of our students.

The Food Collaborative was created in recognition of the importance that food plays in helping students better focus, learn and do well in class. We encourage confident choices, where eating healthy, on the run and on a budget is a part of everyday routine. Students are connected to opportunities such as food funds, vouchers and stamps, food pantries, snacks, free meals, volunteering opportunities and advocacy events. We’ve made it easy for students to get what they need, no matter where they are. Food sovereignty is our mission and goal.

Snack Rack Food Pantry

Students, don't go to class hungry!

The Snack Rack Food Pantry is stacked with perishable and non-perishable food items for our students. Students are encouraged to visit the food pantry to pick up a snack pack or two to help them get through the day, or pick up a meal bag to take home to their families.

The Food Pantry is located in the Winnet Student Life Building, Center for Student Leadership Development, Room S1-12. All currently enrolled students can pick up snack packs or family food bags Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.

Grady's Community Garden Events

The Snack Rack services have expanded to include giveaways from our own Grady’s Community Garden with the goal of providing nutritious options and knowledge about growing your own food. Grady's Community Garden is located on 17th Street on the side of the Bonnell Building.

Celebrate the Sixth Anniversary of Grady's Community Garden

Wednesday, Oct. 16 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Grady's Community Garden

Join the garden party for pumpkin carving, music, food and hot cider. Put on some gloves and give back to Grady's Garden and assist with our winter planting. We'll also be giving away fresh produce in our bright, reusable Food Collaborative bags.

We are also celeberating World Food Day to raise awareness of worldwide hunger and promote action for the future of food, people and the planet. Together we can create a better, more sustainable food future for all. Learn more about World Food Day.

Questions? Contact Jenavia Weaver at jjweaver@ccp.edu.

Grady's Garden Fresh Produce Giveaway Dates

Stop by Grady's Garden for our fresh produce giveaways.

2024
October 8, 22
November 6, 19
December 3, 10.17

2025
January 14, 28
February 4, 18
March 11, 25
April 8, 22

Support Grady's Garden

You can help take care of Grady's Garden each summer, fall and spring. Sign up to help plant seeds, water, monitor the growth in the greenhouse and the raised planter beds, and more. To volunteer at Grady’s Community Garden, visit the Center for Student Leadership, Winnet Student Life Building, Room S1-12 or contact Jenavia Weaver at jjweaver@ccp.edu to get started!

Be a Snack Champion—Support the Snack Rack Food Pantry

Attention faculty and staff, we're calling on you to be a food champion for our students. We encourage all faculty and staff to please consider donating items from the following list.

Snacks: Dried fruits, raisins, nuts in small packages, fruit snacks, pop-tarts, fruit cups (apple sauce or puddings), crackers, (small packs of cheese or peanut butter), granola bars, pretzels, bags of assorted chips, cheese balls, popcorn, etc.

Microwaveable, ready to eat food: Individually packaged dinners, meat or vegetarian individual meal servings, macaroni and cheese mixes, soups, oatmeal packets, instant potatoes, etc.

Beverages: Juice boxes (individually wrapped), bottled water, canned beverages, juices, etc.

Hot drinks: Instant coffee, teabags, sugar, creamer, hot chocolate individual packets, etc.

Toiletries, including: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, shampoo (travel size and hotel shampoos are perfect)

Canned and jarred goods: Beans, vegetables, fruits, soups, spaghetti sauce, meats, tuna fish, salmon, Vienna sausages, apple sauce, cooking oil, Crisco shortening stick, condiments (ketchup, mustard, spices), peanut butter, jams, jellies, etc.

Dried goods: Rice, beans, peas, soup mixes, spaghetti, pasta, parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, instant scalloped and mashed potatoes, flour, sugar, cake/muffin/pancake mixes, dried milk, boxed cereals, etc.

Baby goods, including: Baby formula and baby food, bottled and canned beverages

Paper goods, including: Plates, cups, napkins, paper towels, tissues, toilet tissues

Cleaning Products, including: Laundry detergent, dish soap, cleansers, reusable shopping bags

The Snack Rack Food Pantry is made possible through donations to the Community College of Philadelphia Foundation. If you’d be interested in becoming a donor, please give here. For donations to be directed to Snack Rack Food Pantry, add 'Snack Rack' in the comment box.

Check out the Amazon Wish List for the Snack Rack and Grady’s Community Garden. We are making it easy for you to donate!

Nutrition Resources

Here are some resources to help put you on the path to a nutritious diet.

Interactive Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025
Use the guidelines to help you make healthier diet choices. While it is intended for health professionals and policymakers, individuals can use the information to make informed choices about the food and drinks in their diet.
Free food access in Philadephia
Mix it up! 20 Ways To Enjoy More Fruits And Vegetables
Download Fooducate, a free food and nutrition tracking app. Use Fooducate to stick to your health goals and see your activity progress. Get tips from its active online community and collect recipes that fit your lifestyle.
Check out your app store for grocery comparison apps like Favado, Basket, Grocery King and Grocery Pal to find the best prices for the items on your list and coupons for additional savings.
The quickest road to a healthy and affordable meal is just steps away at the neighborhood corner store. This video, Eat Healthy on a Budget, gives you the information you need to maximize your dollar!

Food Sovereignty and Food Collaborative Team

Jenavia Weaver, Director, Student Engagement
Quamiir Trice, Student Support Coach, Center for Male Engagement
Ida Swindle, Center for Student Leadership Development
Next Steps AmeriCorps team members: Jie Zhang, Donte Amin Bacon, Nathan Williams and Guidinez Sahn