Free pop-up grocery stores in Houston offer fresh food to families in need
Free pop-up grocery stores at Houston YMCAs help families in need while cutting food waste through Second Servings’ food rescue program.
Instead of being thrown away, thousands of pounds of fresh food from Houston grocery stores are finding their way to families who need it most.
Through Second Servings’ partnership with places like the YMCA, free pop-up grocery stores are helping families stretch their budgets and reduce food waste at the same time.
This week at the Brenda and John Duncan Family YMCA, volunteers and staff worked together to unload boxes of produce, meats, and pantry staples.
“We have an assortment of amazing food to give away,” said Amber Chestnut, marketing representative with Second Servings. “All of this food was donated by our grocery store partners, such as Trader Joe’s, Kroger, and many others. Without our help, these groceries might have just been discarded. Instead of feeding landfills, we’re feeding people.”
Families attending the pop-up grocery events can save $50 to $150 on groceries, freeing up money for other important needs such as rent, transportation, or medical bills.
Second Servings rescues perishable food from more than 450 Houston-area businesses and redistributes it through a network of 150 nonprofit partners, including community centers, YMCAs, and senior living facilities. Since 2015, the nonprofit has rescued more than $130 million worth of unsold or unserved food, helping to nourish about 250,000 food-insecure Houstonians each year.
“The need is growing,” Chestnut said. “Between rising costs of living, SNAP cuts, and other challenges, families are struggling more than ever. Especially here in Houston, our neighbors really need the help. We’re doing our best to connect all that abundance to the people who need care.”
The organization’s work has become increasingly vital in a city where 39 percent of households face financial hardship, according to research from Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research.
What started as a food distribution event has become a highlight of the month for YMCA staff and volunteers who see firsthand the difference it makes.
“At our core, we’re an organization that just wants to help people. Once a month, our volunteers come together to unload the trucks, lend a hand, and make sure families can pick up the food they need,” YMCA Executive Director Ricky Hernandez said.
How to get help
If you or someone you know could use a hand, Second Servings hosts 40 to 50 pop-up grocery stores each month across the Greater Houston area. Some pop-up grocery events are open to the public, while others serve specific communities or partner organizations. Participants can check upcoming dates and registration details on the Second Servings website before attending.
Upcoming opportunities to get involved include the HCU Football Game Food Drive on October 11 and Stuff the Van with Whole Foods Market on October 21 at 10:30 a.m.
For more information or to find a pop-up grocery store near you, visit secondservingshouston.org.
