As instructors welcomed students back to class at Valencia College, the staff of VCentials did, too.
The on-campus market is open to all Valencia students, where they can select up to five items for free every day. The shelves and coolers are stocked with produce, protein, dairy, ready-to-eat and shelf-stable foods. VCentials markets are available at all 7 main campus locations.
“I’ve always encouraged my students when they come and visit, come in and grab a snack even if it’s something very simple,” said Dee, the VCentials Operations Manager at the Osceola campus. “If you’re taking a test you prepared for it but you’re hungry, guess what you’re going to hear louder? It isn’t your brain; it’s your stomach. Why not get a snack, eat it before you take your test? This way, you can achieve much higher scholastic scores.”
Wanting to increase access to nutritious food for college students is not just motivated by its importance for learning, but also because there is a high concentration of lower incomes and food insecurity among the student population.
School officials said a recent audit of the VCentials registration software indicated that 85% of students who picked up food reported income at or below the federal poverty level.
“Overall, the feedback suggests that it keeps them in college and helps them use their available funds for other needs,” said Valencia’s Senior Director of Public Relations Carol Traynor, of feedback collected through the school’s student development office.
Among all Valencia’s campuses, 53,000 students visited a VCentials market during the 2025-26 academic year. Enough food for approximately 127,583 meals was distributed during that time.
Carol said this resource saved students about $250,000 in “real-world retail costs.”
Since the first VCentials opened on the flagship West Campus in August 2023, 110,000 students have visited, with at least a 32% increase in visitors each academic year.
VCentials helped Fatima get through her first year of college. She grabbed food every day before heading off to class or to study.
“Last year I used to go all the time with my friends,” she said. “Almost every day that we had class, which was like four days a week.”
She said it helps her and her friends financially and provides healthy food.
“It saves a lot of money, because imagine going out every day and getting (buying) something,” Fatima said. “It’s healthy choices, as well.”
She and her friends like to pick up oranges and bananas to take to the library before studying together.
The welcoming atmosphere of VCentials is also something Fatima noticed and appreciated.
“They’re always super sweet, and they go out of their way to speak to you and make you feel comfortable,” Fatima said. “I think it’s very helpful, especially because some students aren’t as fortunate as others, and they might be embarrassed. They don’t like that they need something like (help with food). It makes everyone feel like it’s okay without them having to ask for anything. They can just come in here, like everyone does.”
Dee said it is a priority to make all students feel welcome, comfortable and aware that VCentials is available to them.
“I have a greeter, so that way every time a student comes by, they’re welcomed,” she said. “In addition to that, I have a person in the lobby to answer any questions because sometimes you can tell by their body language if they’re not sure. We make sure that we make this as easy as possible for them to shop.”
Part of Dee’s job is restocking the pantry as students shop. She said fresh meat and ready-to-eat refrigerated items like sandwiches from Starbucks FoodShare recovery initiative are some of the most popular.
“I have had some students share that it has impacted them greatly because they don’t have the amount of food that they hope they would have at home,” Dee said. “By shopping here, that can at least take care of breakfast or lunch and even dinner items. That makes a big difference not only for them, but they can share it also with their families.”
VCentials provided Liliana with not just food, but also with a job as a Student Leader, funded through a federal work-study program.
The health sciences major and aspiring nurse said the job fits well with her desire to help people.
“We’re doing so much giving back to the students, staff, and faculty, and we’re here for all of their needs,” Liliana said. “There’s a good number of students who come in on a regular basis who come for their lunches as opposed to going into the cafeteria and spending what they don’t have.”
She said having empathy for everyone is essential to making VCentials feel safe and welcoming.
“We don’t want anyone to walk away feeling embarrassed or ashamed because the truth is, everyone has needs,” Liliana said. “We all need to eat.”
Liliana said the market has also helped with her household needs.
“I bring back the pasta and the spaghetti sauce, and I’ve made dinner with that at home for me and my mom,” she said. “My dad passed away when I was younger, so it’s just been me, my mom and my brother. Being here and having all of this available definitely helps out.”
Overall, she is happy that she can be a part of something that helps her peers.
“It’s so cool that we have this here on campus,” Liliana said. “It makes me feel good and accomplished that we’re a part of something that’s bigger. It’s just such a good feeling, and I never go into work thinking I have to go to work. I go in excited.”
