Spring 2024
WHEREAS, In 2019-2020, about 10.2% of California community college students were enrolled in CalFresh [1], and about 127,000 college students enrolled in CalFresh (California’s SNAP program) prior to the pandemic, but up to 689,000 students were likely eligible [2];
WHEREAS, In college, most students spend 12-16 hours each week on campus [3] and considering most students attend school Monday through Thursday, the average school day consists of at least four hours, which constitutes the need for additional food services, and over 50% of California community colleges and university students reported beingfood insecure in the past 30 days [4];
WHEREAS, CalFresh can be used for any food made for human consumption, aside from hot foods [5], but there are exceptions for authorized hot meal programs and approved restaurant meal programs [6]; and
WHEREAS, In the Spring of 2023, the Student Senate for California Community Colleges passed resolution S23.03.02 Expanding CalFresh Access and Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Access for California Community Colleges, which encouraged campuses to have at least one vendor that accepts CalFresh/EBT [7]; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for CalFresh authorization for hot meals prepared at campus/state operated student dining facilities; and
RESOLVED, The Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for the CalFresh/EBT vendor(s) on campus to be available all days the campus is open and to be open for a reasonable period of time.
WHEREAS, In college, most students spend 12-16 hours each week on campus [3] and considering most students attend school Monday through Thursday, the average school day consists of at least four hours, which constitutes the need for additional food services, and over 50% of California community colleges and university students reported beingfood insecure in the past 30 days [4];
WHEREAS, CalFresh can be used for any food made for human consumption, aside from hot foods [5], but there are exceptions for authorized hot meal programs and approved restaurant meal programs [6]; and
WHEREAS, In the Spring of 2023, the Student Senate for California Community Colleges passed resolution S23.03.02 Expanding CalFresh Access and Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Access for California Community Colleges, which encouraged campuses to have at least one vendor that accepts CalFresh/EBT [7]; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for CalFresh authorization for hot meals prepared at campus/state operated student dining facilities; and
RESOLVED, The Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for the CalFresh/EBT vendor(s) on campus to be available all days the campus is open and to be open for a reasonable period of time.