About SNAC

Student Nutrition Access Center

Where Our Food Comes From

Our food comes from a combination of local donations and purchased goods. While we receive generous support from a variety of places in the community, we’re also able to buy fresh produce, dairy, gluten-free, dairy-free, and halal items thanks to funding from a small student fee. Our shelves are stocked and maintained by our student staff and dedicated volunteers. To learn more about the safety of the food we provide, view the Utah Food Bank Safe Food Donation and General Consumption Guidelines.

Student finding canned food at SNAC

Canned and Nonperishable Food

Canned and nonperishable food is donated by local food pantries such as the Cache Community Food Pantry and the Utah Food Bank.

Student choosing produce at SNAC

Fresh Produce

Along with our purchased produce, we receive fresh produce donations in the summer and fall from the Student Organic Farm, Harvest Rescue, USU Permaculture garden, Walipini Impact, and local farmers and community members.

Student choosing bread at SNAC

Recovered Food

Recovered food such as unsold bread, bagels, desserts, and other perishables are donated by USU Dining Services, Kneaders Bakery & Café, Cake It Easy!, Bussin Bread, and Le Croissant.

Facts at a Glance

  • Employees and volunteers pick up ~2,000 lbs. of canned food from the Cache Community Food Pantry each week to stock SNAC with 50-60 products. Nearly all of this food is distributed by the end of the week.
  • SNAC receives orders of 3,000 – 6,000 lbs. of food from the Utah Food Bank every two weeks to stock the pantry.
  • SNAC employs three Student Directors and two Pantry Assistants each academic year.
  • Each month, SNAC hosts a Mobile Food Pantry. This initiative provides food assistance to USU students as well as members of the community.
  • During 2024, SNAC recovered 23,435 lbs. of food that would have otherwise been discarded.
  • In 2024, there were 28,692 visits to the Logan SNAC pantry, serving 4,995 unique individuals.

SNAC Timeline

As student needs have evolved, so have we. Food insecurity affects roughly 61% of USU students throughout their academic careers, and USU is devoted to fostering an inclusive learning environment. By addressing basic needs, SNAC fulfills USU's land-grant mission for students, faculty and staff.

Right Triangle Icon   2010

Jordan Hunt, USU Class of 2013, began providing canned food in a trailer.

Right Triangle Icon   2015

Food Recovery Network was founded by James Worth, USU Class of 2017. This group began picking up unsold food items from USU Dining location to provide to those in need.

Right Triangle Icon   2018

Campus Kitchen was launched, packaging unsold prepared foods from local restaurants. The program moved from a closet in the student center to the Val R. Christensen Service Center, a larger space with higher visibility.

Right Triangle Icon   2019

Cache Community Gleaning was founded by Amira Farnsworth and Kara Bachman, both USU Class of 2021, as a picking service to local, residential fruit trees, reducing food waste and giving community partners more fresh produce.

Right Triangle Icon   2021

SNAC's first staff position was hired, and the previous Val R. Christensen Service Center was renovated into SNAC. The renovation included the installation of a three compartment sink, an additional fridge and freezer, desk stations, metal tables, and flooring.

Right Triangle Icon   2023

SNAC moved under the direction of the Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science Department in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Right Triangle Icon   2024

SNAC completed the R401 process to become an officially recognized USU Center.

Right Triangle Icon   2025

In collaboration with Utah Food Bank and Cache Community Food Pantry, SNAC launched Cache Valley’s first-ever Mobile Food Pantry: a monthly food distribution event that focuses on providing fresh produce and other perishable items to USU students and members of the community..