A new food pantry opened on Thursday. The Access Market is working to stop food insecurity and help improve the health of families.
Unlike most traditional food banks, people will be able to come in and pick their own food items for free.
They told us that in most food banks, people are handed a box with food items that have already been selected for them.
Jackelin Barraza, the Community Engagement Development Director for Access Health Care, said, "So what's amazing about our market is that the clients, it’s their choice; they get to come in. They get to pick what they want, what they don't want. In the traditional pantry, they just get a box of items, and they don't get to choose those items.”
This pantry offers fresh produce, shelf-stable items, and different choices of meat, but also helps figure out what would benefit people most, based on their health needs.
They say health care extends further than just the doctor's office, and having resources for good nutritious food can make the difference people need.
Barraza told us, "We get to connect them with other resources that we offer here as well. So if they have cancer, they have diabetes, or any chronic illness, we're able to guide them into what type of food needs or other resources that are available to them that we can assist them with."
They even offer to help people learn new ways to cook with the ingredients they choose.
Barraz also said, "With us, they get to come in and choose what they want, and what's also amazing is that if there are items that they don't know how to find the same recipes for, we also have dietitians in-house that will help them, teach them how to cook the meal as well."
Everyone involved said they wouldn't be able to make this possible without all their partners working together to continue supporting the community.
Marina Packee, the Agency Relations Supervisor for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, said, "They are the first part that the neighbors actually see, and it just brings everyone together. All of our partners do a little bit of the work, and they all have to work together for us to all do our part to help our neighbors."
The Access Market is located off Peckham Lane and South Virginia Street inside the Reno Town Mall.
