CLAYTON COUNTY, GA — Clayton County Public Schools is beginning its fourth year of offering free school-based grocery markets to help students, staff and their families facing food insecurity.

During the 2026-2027 school year, CCPS will continue offering the markets to families at four locations:

Eddie White Academy, Forest Park Middle School, Jonesboro Middle School and North Clayton High School.

The markets allow students and families to shop for groceries at no cost. They are stocked with fresh produce, refrigerated and frozen foods, household and personal care items and specialty international foods.

Dr. Rasha Portis with Clayton County Schools says the markets are designed to feel like actual grocery stores, allowing families to shop with dignity.

“We’ve gotten so much positive feedback from our community that when they come in, they feel welcomed, they feel like they’re shopping at the store actually,” Portis said.

Portis says the markets also give students an opportunity to help their families.

“It is very empowering not only for our families, but for our students who engage to really feel like they’re helping and supporting their families as well,” Portis said.

The district says the need for the markets has grown each year. In June alone, Clayton County Schools provided 55,000 pounds of groceries through its four school-based markets.

Portis says families are also able to find familiar products while shopping.

“The students and families are happy to see brands that they recognize,” Portis said.

Hector Gutierrez in Forest Park says the markets also offer products from Mexican and African stores.

“Different Mexican stores or African stores that had these products allows us to provide for everybody and have that inclusion,” Gutierrez said.

Some of the markets also offer live and virtual cooking classes and help families access health and housing resources. An upcoming community garden at Jonesboro Middle School will help provide some of the fresh produce.

The markets are made possible through partnerships with several companies and organizations, including Kroger, the Community Teen Coalition and Helping Hands Ending Hunger.

WSB Radio’s Veronica Waters contributed to this story.