Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program

Origins:

The Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program is an initiative launched to combat childhood food insecurity by embedding food pantries directly into schools across the Northeast US. Recognizing that traditional food access models often miss the mark for children, this program reimagines food distribution by bringing it to where students already are - school. Through partnerships with schools and nonprofits, Stop & Shop provides startup funding, ongoing food donations, and logistical support to establish and sustain these pantries. By situating pantries in accessible environments, the program eliminates common barriers such as transportation, stigma, and limited operating hours. Since its inception, it has grown to over 260 pantries across five states (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts), serving more than 40,000 students and families each month. In doing so, it not only addresses hunger but also supports academic success, strengthens school communities, and models how corporate responsibility can deliver sustainable impact.

Contribution:

Stop & Shop contributes startup funding, recurring food donations, and logistical support to help launch and sustain school-based pantries. The company also supports staff training, nutritional education, and culturally relevant food sourcing. Community participation is critical. Local schools operate the pantries autonomously with guidance from nonprofit partners, and volunteers from within the school community help maintain daily operations. This collaboration ensures that each pantry reflects the unique needs of its student population while fostering ownership, pride, and sustainability at the local level. Since its inception, it has grown to over 260 pantries across five states, serving more than 40,000 students and families each month.

Objectives:

The primary objective of the Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program is to reduce childhood food insecurity by ensuring students have consistent, stigma-free access to food within their schools. Additional goals include enhancing student readiness to learn by addressing hunger-related barriers, supporting school staff in identifying and assisting food-insecure families, promoting long-term community resilience through sustainable food access solutions, and empowering schools to tailor pantry operations to best serve their populations.

Impact:

With over 260 school pantries now in operation, the Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program has scaled rapidly while maintaining deep local impact. It reaches more than 355,000 students across five states and directly serves over 40,000 students and families each month. Key indicators of success include sustained school engagement, growing community support, and the ability of schools to independently manage pantries over time. The program’s effectiveness is rooted in its design - placing pantries in schools removes physical and emotional barriers to access. Staff and educators, who often witness signs of food insecurity firsthand, are equipped to refer students discreetly and compassionately. Schools report improved student focus, attendance, and wellbeing, while families gain a trusted resource for support. By combining Stop & Shop’s resources with local leadership and nonprofit expertise, the model creates an ecosystem of support that goes beyond charity - fueling systemic change in how food insecurity is addressed.

Quote:

“At Stop & Shop, we believe no child should go hungry - especially not at school, where they go to grow, learn, and thrive. The School Food Pantry Program is our way of meeting families where they are and removing barriers to nourishment. It’s about dignity, consistency, and community. We’re proud to partner with schools and nonprofits to deliver more than just food - we’re helping build futures.”

- Roger Wheeler, President, Stop & Shop

Support Statement:

"The Holyoke Community Charter School is truly a community-educational institution, dedicated to nurturing students both academically and socially. Our valued partnership with Stop & Shop has allowed us to support many families facing food insecurity during these challenging times. We are immensely grateful for the generous grant we have received, as businesses like Stop & Shop play a vital role in strengthening our school community and making a real difference in the lives of our students and families,” said Dr. Sonia Correa Pope, School Principal.