Jaguar Market & Food Distribution

The Jaguar Market & Farmer's Market

San José City College helps students meet their basic needs with free groceries and fresh produce through the Jaguar Market, our on-campus food pantry, and a free Farmer's Market held on campus twice a month with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley.

The Jaguar Market

Location

Robert N. Chang Student Center, First Floor, SC-113

Fall 2026 Hours

  • Monday: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday: 2:00–5:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 10:00 a.m.–noon and 1:15–5:00 p.m.
  • Thursday: noon–5:00 p.m.
  • Friday–Sunday: Closed

Eligibility

To shop at the Jaguar Market, you must:

  • Be a currently enrolled San José City College student.
  • Provide your current class registration or registration receipt on your first visit of each semester in the new academic year.
  • Have a personal yearly income of $36,777.50 or less (no documentation required).
    • Add $12,925 per year for each additional person with income in your household.

Income limits are set by the U.S. government at 235% of the Federal Poverty Line.

What to Bring on Every Visit

  • Required: Your Student ID card and Market Card (first-time shoppers receive a Market Card in person)
  • Reusable bags — bags are not guaranteed to be available

The Jaguar Market exclusively serves San José City College students. Community members are encouraged to visit the Farmer's Market held on campus twice a month for fresh food.

Community members can also use the Second Harvest Find Food Near Me locator (opens in a new tab).

Leah's Pantry Gold Certified Nutrition Pantry (opens in a new tab)

Smiling shopper holding a smartphone and a basket of fresh greens in a grocery store produce aisle

CalFresh Is Now Available to More College Students

As of June 1, 2026, if you are enrolled in an associate or bachelor’s degree program at a California Community College (CCC), California State University (CSU), or University of California (UC) campus, your enrollment helps you qualify for CalFresh.

What This Means for You

  • Use CalFresh to pay for groceries
  • Stay focused on school

Find Out If You’re Eligible and Apply Today

Need help with your application? Fill out the Basic Needs Referral Request Form (opens in a new tab).

For other languages or reasonable accommodations, find an office at CalFreshFood.org. For speech and/or hearing assistance, call 877-847-3663 (FOOD) or 711 Relay.

State of California Health and Human Services Agency | California Department of Social Services. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Second Harvest Farmer's Market

San José City College and Second Harvest of Silicon Valley host a Farmer's Market–style food distribution on campus twice a month. Fresh produce, frozen meats, and canned goods are available free to students.

When and Where

  • When: Second and fourth Fridays of each month, 10:00 a.m.–noon
  • Where: Parking Lot D, across from the Chang Student Center
  • Parking: Lots D, E, or F
  • What to bring: Your own cart or wagon and shopping bags

View the updated Farmer's Market distribution schedule

Contact the Basic Needs Office

Have questions? Call the Basic Needs Office at 408-288-3104.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Jaguar Market exclusively serves currently enrolled San José City College students. Review the full Jaguar Market eligibility requirements.

Yes. Signing up each semester confirms that we are serving currently enrolled and eligible SJCC students.

Yes, the Market is open to non-citizen/resident students who are currently enrolled and have verified eligibility.

Verified Market users may come to the Market once per calendar week for groceries.

Market users may also pick up snacks once per day, only from the designated Snack Fridge.

No, only current students are eligible to shop at the Jaguar Market. We recommend visiting 211.org for other community resources (opens in a new tab).

There are multiple types of dates (best by, use by, produced on, etc.) on food products in the U.S. If you have questions, please ask a staff member or review food safety information from Second Harvest of Silicon Valley (opens in a new tab) or the USDA guide to food product dating (opens in a new tab).

Most foods are safe to eat much longer than the product dates. See posters and handouts in the Market for recommendations.

We currently do not accept volunteers at the Jaguar Market.

You can sign up to volunteer with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley (opens in a new tab) at the Farmer's Market we host on the second and fourth Fridays of each month.

SJCC and Second Harvest of Silicon Valley host on-campus food distribution events on the second and fourth Fridays of each month, providing fresh produce, frozen meats, and non-perishable food items free to students.

Events run 10:00 a.m.–noon. Check the current SJCC distribution schedule on the Second Harvest website (opens in a new tab) for dates.

Information for New Clients

Register on site; no documents are needed. Bring a cart or wagon to carry your groceries — you will receive more food than you can carry by hand. This is a Farmer's Market–style site, so you will choose from a variety of foods. Walk-up only.

How Can I Pick Up Food for a Neighbor or Family Member?

If they are a registered client, you may pick up on their behalf with their client ID and name or phone number. If they are not registered and want someone to pick up food for them, they can call 800-984-3663 to receive a client ID.

Distribution Location

Parking Lot D, across from the Chang Student Center. Please park in Lots D, E, or F.

How Often Can I Pick Up Food at This Location?

Twice per month.

Check your eligibility and apply for CalFresh on BenefitsCal (opens in a new tab).

If you need help with your CalFresh application, fill out the Basic Needs Referral Request Form (opens in a new tab).

Staff are required to ask for and record information such as your name, address, household size, and other minimal information about your household. By providing this information to staff, you consent to sharing it with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley.

Second Harvest uses TEFAP so that we can continue to distribute food to eligible students.

Please see our poster at the Market for more information on non-discrimination statements.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

  1. Review the Santa Clara County food resources list (PDF). Call each location before visiting.
  2. You can still apply for CalFresh. Start by creating an account at BenefitsCal.com (opens in a new tab).
  3. No immediate disruptions to any other public benefit programs are anticipated.
  4. Stay updated on the California Department of Social Services website (opens in a new tab).