North Country This Week

POTSDAM –Potsdam High School students are now operating a free food market, easily accessible to all high school students and their families.

Plans are also underway to expand the market to middle school this summer, offering healthy food including canned meats, cereals, and other nonperishable foods.

“The food market is for everyone in the school, of any economic background. There are no eligibility forms. We are destigmatizing the service, calling it a food market, not a food pantry,” said junior Maddie Wheeler, Positivity Club President.

The P2 Food Market is run by several high school members of the Positivity Club, and overseen by club advisor Dan Davis, and teacher assistant Lisa Boldt.

 “We’re making it as friendly as possible, by making the food market anonymous,” said freshman Ali Grainger.

Food market manager Johannes Richter, a freshman, explained students or their families can place their food orders using a paper form or online each week using the high school’s website under the Student tab. Orders submitted by Thursday night are available for pick-up the next Tuesday in the guidance office.[img_assist|nid=299746|title=Potsdam High School Positivity 2 Club|desc= recently opened their P2 Food Market available for all Potsdam High School students and families who submit food orders either in paper form or on the high school’s website under the Students tab. Photo provided by store manager Johannes Richter. |link=none|align=right|width=250|height=176]

“Mrs. Boldt assigns a number to each order received to keep it anonymous.  I keep track of inventory and make out a weekly shopping list for Mrs. Boldt and Mr. Davis to buy food each week. Then club members put the requested food in numbered bags.  Lola Buckley, Viola Partrige and I restocks the shelves,” said Richter.

High School Principal Mark Bennett presented the idea for the food market to the Positivity 2 Club, along with his $500 personal donation to get it started. But he attributed the success of the program to the students. “It’s all the kids,” he said.

Advisor Dan Davis obtained additional start-up donations and supplies from Barstow Motors, J. E. Sheehan Contracting, Jake’s, Triple A Johnson Towing, Stewarts Shop of Potsdam, Price Chopper, Walmart, Dunkin Donuts on Maple St., Greg Lapinski, Sue Waters, and Kat Pike.

St. Lawrence County Community Development reimbursed the market for food purchased the first few months to help start the program, but funding ended May 14.

“The club is seeking more donations to buy food the next few weeks until we begin getting food shipments from the Food Bank of Central New York,” said Davis. The school was recently approved as a nonprofit organization and will soon receive free food from the food bank, he said.

“Donations are also needed to purchase many hygiene products, which are not available through the food bank,” said Davis.

“The food bank will donate 40 boxes or more of food every two weeks, allowing the P2 Food Market to expand to middle school families starting this summer,” said Davis.

Future plans are to obtain grants for refrigerators and freezers so the market can also accept perishable food from the Food Bank of Central New York.

Student manager Richter credited the guidance and main offices for their help, along with

Mr. Davis for his advising and fundraising, Mrs. Boldt with her technology, and Mrs. Lisa Davis for help with signage. “They have been huge assets in helping us,” he said.

“The students running the P2 Food Market are incredible. I am inspired to support them because of how they care about their fellow students. It’s truly amazing,” said Davis.

“It’s nice the food market is so accessible for everyone in the school,” said student Lindy Betrus.

“The food market gives a great opportunity for students to provide food for their family,” said student Steph Andreescu. “We make sure the food is healthy food.”

The school’s food market is certified by the NYS Health Department and will provide healthy eating information to families.

“It’s so satisfying to see the program grow and help so many people,” added member Ali Grainger.

Donations can be sent to Potsdam High School Positivity Club, with notation for Food Market, and mailed to Potsdam High School, 29 Leroy St.

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