UCLA Store Market now accepting CalFresh benefits
The UCLA Store Market began accepting the federal food assistance for groceries mid-August and is now the first location on the UCLA campus to offer CalFresh redemption.
Los Angeles, Calif., Sept. 6, 2022 – The UCLA Store will now accept CalFresh electronic benefits for groceries at the Market as another step to tackle food insecurity among UCLA students.
Federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), CalFresh is operated locally by California counties under state supervision to provide an avenue for further access to nutritional food for individuals and families who qualify.
The UCLA Store Market, a division of Associated Students UCLA (ASUCLA), gained approval and underwent rigorous payment testing to ensure CalFresh recipients can purchase food simply and securely with just the swipe of a card. Redemption was operationalized at the Market mid-August.
“Numerous people were involved in the effort to bring this initiative to campus and ensure it went live smoothly,” Jose Quiroz, UCLA Store Market Division manager, said. “We’re excited to offer this service at the UCLA Store for students who choose to use their CalFresh benefits with us.”
Campus partners driving the CalFresh effort include CalFresh Initiative under the UCLA Community Programs Office, 580 Café, Economic Crisis Response Team, UCLA Basic Needs Committee, The Green Initiative Fund, Semel HCI Center, UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services, and UCLA Campus Life.
“We’re so thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with ASUCLA to ensure students have the ability to utilize their CalFresh/SNAP benefits at the UCLA Store Market,” a representative from CalFresh Initiative at UCLA said. “We hope to continue the expansion of CalFresh across our campus community and enroll as many eligible Bruins in CalFresh.”
CalFresh is accepted at the UCLA Store Market in Ackerman Student Union at this time, with more locations to be available at a later date.
For more information about CalFresh, visit the CalFresh Initiative at UCLA website here.
About CalFresh Initiative at UCLA
CalFresh Initiative at UCLA is one of the many assistance programs under the UCLA Basic Needs Committee, which offers resources to eliminate student hunger and homelessness. CalFresh Initiative at UCLA is run by students to assist undergraduate and graduate students to apply for CalFresh benefits. UCLA Basic Needs believes all students should not have to sacrifice their own health and nutrition while pursuing their education at UCLA. For more information about UCLA CalFresh Initiative, visit basicneeds.ucla.edu/services/calfresh.
About ASUCLA:
Founded in 1919, Associated Students UCLA (ASUCLA) is a nonprofit association that drives vitally essential student services and activities throughout the UCLA campus. ASUCLA boasts the largest college store in the U.S., an extensive food program, UCLA® brand licensing programming through UCLA Trademarks & Licensing, and other services and programs that include student government and student media, which significantly enhances the quality of UCLA’s campus life. For more information and to stay connected, follow @asucla on Instagram or visit asucla.ucla.edu.