Mayport Elementary School opens food market for parents

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A new food pantry-style service is now up and running at Mayport Elementary School. It’s called Mayport Market.

“This is the first year they’ve done it and it’s absolutely amazing,” parent Jennifer Bays said.

The Market will be open each early-release Wednesday from 1:45 p.m. until the food is gone.

“Even we’re military and it’s very expensive to buy anything at the commissary for a family our size, so this helps so much,” Bays said.

All the Market food is healthy and nutritious. There’s fresh produce, canned goods and bread. Principal Amy Cline said she noticed there were no grocery stores on Mayport Road, so she’s bringing the grocery store to parents.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for our parents,” Cline said.

Indeed it is. While parents are doing their shopping, little students can enjoy a snack. All of this is free of charge and brought to families by the school, Palms Presbyterian Church and BEAM, Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry.

“If we can get into a partnership to do something further in the future, we’d love to do that. Right now, we’re just trying to do at least once or twice a month where we can get our parents fed and they can have a great weekend,” Cline said.

Cox Media Group