Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: A Case Study

The project goal was to locate and identify resources to reduce or prevent food insecurity in students. After speaking with Second Harvest Food bank it was determined there were students that would qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Therefore, one objective was to inform students of the qualifications of SNAP, provide them with the information needed to initiate the program and finally track those students that completed the SNAP application process. My second objective was to create a reference handout of information for Boynton staff to provide for those food insecure individuals, diverting the students to appropriate resources.
For those students that might qualify for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, I met with the University of Minnesota director of public health to discuss and implement a process aimed at reaching out to those students. The guidelines for applying, along with the application steps were comprised and formatted into an email. An email from the university was sent to approximately 500-1000 targeted students. The email contained a list of

qualifications in which the student had to answer “yes” to at least one along with having a monthly income for a one person household equal to or less than $1619.00 before taxes. Students can qualify completely independent of their parent’s income. Students were provided an link within the email to initiate the application. Once the application was initiated, tracking of those students was performed in coordination with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Students that qualify for SNAP must complete the application and conduct a ten minute interview with a MDH representative to complete the process.
Research of area grocery stores, on and surrounding the University of Minnesota campus was conducted via online maps and in-person visitation.

This was completed to determine product availability and a review of food cost comparison. This goal was an effort to provide students living on limited resources with information on availability and economical food choices in the area. Additional research was completed that provided students with the transportation options available to the surrounding grocery stores.
Recently a public health student applied for a grant to launch a food pantry on the University of Minnesota campus. My goal was to determine specifics on the opening of that pantry, to include initial opening date, hours, location and the plan regarding subsequent openings. Information was obtained via an interview with that public health

student.

In an effort to reach students and supply them with all methods discovered to address food insecurity, a review of communication methods was completed. The University of Minnesota corresponds with students in a variety of methods. Those methods include emails, electronic billboards placed in strategic locations, a weekly campus newspaper and other contacts. This multi-medium effort to educate as many students as possible regarding food insecurity may be obtained. A referenced handout will be supplied to staff members with the information that was gathered on food assistance so that staff has the resource available to counsel those students that report food insecurity.