Tristen Slamowitz, Alayne Morrel, and Maggie Jordan, students at Texas A&M University School of Engineering Medicine (EnMed), have launched the Healthy Harvest Community Fridge, a student-led initiative aimed at addressing food insecurity in the Houston area.
The project was inspired by the team’s volunteer work at the Maroon Health Clinic, where they observed firsthand how limited access to nutritious food affects the health of underserved communities. Food insecurity is a pressing issue, with many people in the Houston area struggling to access healthy meals.
Motivated by the belief that food is foundational to well-being, the students set out to create a space where neighbors could access fresh food – no questions asked – and feel a renewed sense of dignity and connection.
“EnMed encourages us not just to be observers, but innovators and changemakers,” Slamowitz reflected. “That spirit of proactive problem-solving is what led me to get involved with Healthy Harvest. It’s about turning compassion into action and using our unique training to create lasting impact.”
Healthy Harvest launched in March 2025 as a monthly pop-up stocked with fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs and other essentials. The fridge is located at Bering Memorial United Church of Christ and is open the second Sunday of each month from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Local grocery stores and businesses, such as Sprouts in the Heights, help stock the fridge through donations, and funding from the Houston Global Health Collaborative helps sustain the effort.
The impact was immediate. At the first event, a Russian artist who arrived on a bicycle, and despite a language barrier, gifted a small hand-painted art piece to each of the team members in gratitude for the fresh food items he received. Another recipient later wrote, “It helped me remember that people do love me.”
Morrel said donated items like fresh salads and vitamins are among the first to go. “That tells us people want to eat well—they just need access,” she said. “Everyone deserves the dignity of a nutritious meal.”
Looking ahead, the team hopes to partner with the Maroon Health Clinic to offer nutrition education and chronic disease prevention while transforming the fridge site into a vibrant gathering place with an herb garden.
To support Healthy Harvest or learn about volunteer opportunities, visit www.healthyharvestfridge.com or email healthyharvesthtx@gmail.com for questions.
