Worcester County Food Bank Fund To End Hunger Awards Grant To Support Nourishing Diversity At Monty’s Market

The Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) Foundation has received a $5,300 grant from the 2026 Worcester County Food Bank Fund to End Hunger through the Greater Worcester Community Foundation to support the Nourishing Diversity at Monty’s Market initiative, expanding access to culturally relevant and medically appropriate foods for MWCC students experiencing food insecurity.

Monty’s Market, the college’s on-campus food pantry, serves nearly 1,100 students annually and provides free groceries and essential food resources to students across MWCC’s Gardner and Leominster campuses and Automotive Technology Center. The Nourishing Diversity initiative was developed in response to growing student demand for foods that reflect diverse cultural traditions and meet specific dietary, medical, and religious needs.

The grant will help fund the purchase of specialty food items, including halal, kosher, gluten-free, low-sodium, allergen-friendly, and culturally significant foods that are often difficult for students to access through traditional food assistance programs. Funds will support both Monty’s Market pantry locations and community refrigerators located throughout MWCC campuses.

“Food insecurity is about more than having enough food—it’s about having access to foods that support health, culture, and well-being,” said Terry Young, Basic Needs Specialist at MWCC. “This funding allows us to better serve students whose dietary needs have historically been underrepresented in food assistance programs and helps ensure that every student feels seen, respected, and supported.”

Recent data collected through Monty’s Market indicates that nearly one in four pantry users report cultural, medical, or allergen-related dietary restrictions. Student feedback has consistently highlighted the need for foods that reflect their cultural identities and dietary practices.

“Monty’s Market has become an essential resource for students,” said Carla Zottoli, Executive Director of the MWCC Foundation. “We are grateful to the Worcester County Food Bank Fund to End Hunger and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation for investing in student success through this important initiative. By providing foods that honor students’ cultures and health needs, we are helping remove barriers to academic achievement and personal well-being.”

The Nourishing Diversity initiative builds upon previous efforts to expand food equity and inclusion at Monty’s Market. The project aligns with the Worcester County Food Bank Fund to End Hunger’s mission to increase access to healthy food and address hunger throughout Worcester County.