San Diego Miramar College prioritizes the food security of our students. Resources to support these endeavors are made possible through the support of the California Community College Chancellor's Office, Feeding San Diego, San Diego Food Bank, and donations from the Miramar College community.
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Food Pantry | Pantry Pickup | Farmers Market
CalFresh | CFAP | Food for Thought
Jet Fuel Food Pantry
The Jet Fuel Food Pantry is subsidized by a grant from the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office; therefore, only current San Diego Miramar College students are permitted to use this resource. Students may utilize the pantry only once per day during operating hours.
The Jet Fuel Food Pantry is located in the Jet Fuel Resource Center (basic needs center) on the third floor of the K1 Student Services Building (K1-211).
The Jet Fuel Food Pantry is the flagship program of the Basic Needs Center. The pantry offers a wide variety of fresh foods, shelf stable items, snacks, and frozen goods to help food-insecure students maintain access to food and nutrition resources.
All students can access the pantry so long as they meet the following criteria:
- Be a current SDCCD student (have a valid student ID)
- Be enrolled in at least one (1) class at Miramar College (excludes CCE-Miramar) during the current semester
- Have submitted a pantry use form for the semester they intend to use the pantry
Food Pantry Hours:
Mon – Tue: 12:00 – 3:00 pm
Wed – Thu: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
The Pantry Pickup
The Pantry Pickup program is available for students who are unable to access the food pantry during regular operating hours due to their class and/or work schedule or because they are unable to come to campus while the pantry is open for reasons like caring for a family member or facing transportation challenges.
Students can choose from several “pantry packs” that include pre-selected, non-perishable groceries. Once your request has been approved, your pantry pack will be secured in a designated locker on campus so you can pick up your items at a time that works best for you. Items are held for one week only.
A complete description of available pantry packs and instructions for picking up your request are listed on the Pantry Pickup form.
The Really, Really Free Farmers Market
Through our partnership with Feeding San Diego, Miramar College hosts a farmer’s market-style food distribution on campus on the first and third Wednesdays each month, and it’s completely FREE, really!
The distribution begins at 9:00 am and continues while supplies last (approximately 11:00 am). The Really, Really Free Farmers Market is open to the community and takes place in front of the K1 Student Services Building.
CalFresh
CalFresh, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) throughout the United States, is a program that provides low-income households with monthly benefits to buy food. CalFresh benefits can help supplement the food budget of a household allowing them to buy more nutritious foods.
Eligibility for CalFresh and the amount of benefits a household may receive depends on the household's size, income, and expenses. CalFresh benefits are provided on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card and can be used to buy food at participating grocery stores, online stores, and farmers markets.
To apply for CalFresh benefits, visit getcalfresh.org or click the button below.
Application Assistance
Need help with your application?
Each month, a representative from the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank visits our campus to assist anyone who might be interested in applying for CalFresh benefits. A representative will discuss program eligibility, the application process, and necessary documentation with those who are interested.
CalFresh Drop-in Assistance is available in the Jet Fuel Food Pantry (K1-211) from 12–2p on the following dates:
Using Your CalFresh Benefits
Households who qualify for CalFresh benefits are issued an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card from the County of San Diego, which looks and works like a bank ATM card.
To access your benefits, when you go through the checkout line at a grocery store or supermarket you will swipe your EBT card just like a bank ATM or credit card in the payment machine at the checkout stand. Then, you will enter a four-digit PIN code. The cost of the food is subtracted from your federally-issued CalFresh benefits automatically—just like when you pay from a bank card. It's that easy!
CalFresh EBT cards are accepted at most grocery stores and supermarkets. To find a store near you, search the USDA's CalFresh (SNAP) Retail Locator.
California Food Assistance Program
The State of California provides state-funded food benefits through the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) for non-citizens who do not qualify for CalFresh benefits, which are federally funded.
To be eligible to CFAP, non-citizens must currently be ineligible for CalFresh benefits solely due to their immigration status under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996.
Some examples of CFAP eligible individuals are non-citizens who are:
- Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) who have not met the five (5) year United States (U.S.) residency requirement or 40 qualifying work quarters criteria
- Parolees
- Conditional entrants
- Or are battered or abused
You can learn more about CFAP eligibility and how to apply at cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/calfresh/california-food-assistance-program. The Miramar Dreamers Support Office provides resources for undocumented and immigrant students and their families. Learn more at sdmiramar.edu/dreamers.
Food for Thought
All the food in the Jet Fuel Food Pantry is procured through either Feeding San Diego, the San Diego Food Bank, Costco, Farmer’s Fridge, or acquired through a food rescue program called Retail Rescue.
As a nonprofit, the Miramar College Foundation partners with local food banks and purchases food at a considerable discount. The produce at our Really, Really FREE Farmer’s Market is delivered by Feeding San Diego.
Food Rescue
Food rescue is the process of acquiring food from an outside source that would otherwise go to waste and redirecting it to someone in need. The Jet Fuel Food Pantry participates in retail rescue programs with grocery stores such as ALDI, Smart & Final, Sprouts, and Target.
Retail Rescue
So, how exactly does a retail rescue program work?
Typically, food items are taken off store shelves when they are past the "best buy" or "sell by" date. Food items that grocery stores can no longer sell due to approaching or past “best buy” dates will be donated to partner agencies such as college food pantries, social service organizations, or churches to distribute to those in need.
Product Dates
Many people confuse "best buy" and "sell by" dates with an item’s expiration date; however, they are not the same thing nor are they interchangeable terms.
A "best by" date does not correlate in any way to a food item's safety for consumption. Rather, it informs the consumer of how long the food will be at its prime in terms of flavor and nutritional value. In other words, eating something that is past its "best by date" will not make you sick nor harm you in any way—the food item might not taste as fresh or flavorful as it would have before the "best by date."
An expiration date does inform you about a food item’s safety for consumption. Once a food item is past its expiration date, it is no longer safe for consumption.
| Best if Used By/Before Date |
Indicates when a product will be of best flavor or quality. It is NOT a purchase or safety date! |
| Sell-By Date |
Tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is NOT a safety date! |
| Freeze-By Date |
Indicates when a product should be frozen to maintain peak quality. It is NOT a purchase or safety date! |
| Use-By Date |
The last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is NOT a safety date when used on food! However, when used on infant formula, then it IS a safety date. |