Lucía Larruscain

While the government shutdown may have come to an end and SNAP benefits restored, affordable food sources around Tarrant County remain vital. Here are five places that not only help college students stay full on a budget, but lower income families and individuals as well.  

1. Taste Community Restaurant, 1200 South Main Street Fort Worth, Texas 76104- Located in Fort Worth, Texas, Taste Community Restaurant is a non-profit breakfast and lunch eatery that offers a pay–what–you–can policy. The menu has no set prices but offers three options: pay what you can afford, pay what you would typically pay, or pay what you typically pay and a little extra. Servers and cooks are volunteers only aiming to feed their community healthy, quality meals made with integrity.  
2. Texas Wesleyan Food Pantry, PUMC- For Texas Wesleyan students, staff and faculty specifically, this is an on-campus market that provides free non-perishables and fresh produce. It is located on the first floor of the PUMC behind the stairwell. Whether the Texas Wesleyan community needs a quick pick-me-up or something to throw in the microwave for dinner, the Texas Wesleyan Food Pantry remains stocked and prepared for anyone who may need it. A form must be filled out for the first visit only to keep track of how useful the food pantry is in the Texas Wesleyan community. Donations of canned food, dried food and packaged shelf-stable items are accepted as well.  
3. Town Talk Foods, 121 North Beach Street Fort Worth, Texas 76111 – Town Talks Foods offers groceries at an affordable price. They provide quality produce, dairy products and meat. A Fort Worth staple of 70 years, Town Talk Foods works to ensure that the Fort Worth and Arlington communities have access to quality fresh ingredients on a budget.  
4. Tarrant Area Food Bank, 2600 Cullen Street Fort Worth, Texas 76107 – Tarrant Area Food Bank accepts all individuals seeking food assistance. There is a Farmers Market Nutrition Program that provides fresh fruits and vegetables to the Fort Worth community, enhancing quality products to those who receive SNAP and WIC benefits. They also provide food workshops that encourage healthy eating habits, shopping on a budget and more to increase accessibility to hearty and healthy meals.  
5. Funky Town Fridge Southside/Atatiana, Goodwill North Texas Headquarters: 4005 Campus Drive Fort Worth, Texas 76119- Funky Town Fridge is a community fridge project that contains outdoor fridges that are accessible 24/7. Aiming to uplift communities in the city of Fort Worth through mutual aid and education, while welcoming fresh produce, essentials and toiletries. Funky Town Fridge encourages the community to take what’s neededand leave what you can, if you can.  

Editor’s note: Town Talk is an advertising partner with The Rambler.org.