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Free In-School Grocery Opens at Huffman Middle School for Students’ Families

City ARPA funds back a two-year pilot focused on reducing hunger’s impact on learning.

Overview

  • The Goodr-operated store opened this week after a ribbon-cutting and will run during the school year in a roughly 300-square-foot space.
  • District 1 allocated $277,500 in American Rescue Plan dollars to fund the pilot for its first two years.
  • Access is limited to households of Huffman Middle students, with online registration and about 200 monthly appointment slots.
  • School leaders point to about 75% neighborhood poverty and nearly 90% of students on free or reduced lunch as reasons to support classroom engagement through food access.
  • Organizers say shelves carry standard grocery items at no cost, with Goodr estimating $900–$1,200 in annual savings per family as partners track usage to guide possible expansion.