SNAC Student Fee Benefits
Minimal Financial Impact for Significant Gains
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- At a cost to students of $3.00 per semester, the fee represents a small investment that significantly improves access to essential resources that are not currently available. Students could save an estimated $20-$30 per visit to SNAC. The average number of visits for SNAC guests last year was 6.4, resulting in potential savings of $128 to $192 per student.
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- The current SNAC budget and food sources cannot meet the needs we know exist on the Logan campus. There is currently a 43% gap between the 18% of students SNAC served and the 61% of students on campus who have experienced food security issues.
- Ensures a reliable and sustainable supply of food to meet the needs of the growing number of students experiencing food insecurity.
- Decreases the stigma associated with accessing SNAC for students by allowing them to contribute to its services.
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- Increased availability and selection of fruits and vegetables.
- Allows SNAC to offer dairy products, including milk, eggs, and cheese.
- Increases availability and access to foods for students with dietary restrictions.
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- Students with access to adequate nutrition are better able to focus, improving academic performance. Over half of surveyed SNAC users on the Logan campus reported that hunger had impacted their ability to concentrate.
- Reduces stress related to food insecurity, contributing to better mental health and attendance.
- By addressing food insecurity, the fee helps reduce barriers to student success, supporting retention and timely graduation. Students facing food insecurity are 40% less likely to graduate; SNAC can assist in mitigating this risk.
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- Creates opportunities for peer engagement and volunteer experiences, enhancing a sense of community on campus.
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- Ensures all students have access to basic resources, contributing to a more inclusive campus environment.
During the 2024-2025 school year, the Student Nutrition Access Center (SNAC) collected and distributed over 216,900 pounds of food, including over 27,100 pounds of recovered food that was diverted from the landfill. This food benefited 4,952 unique students – almost 25% of the total student population at the Logan campus. These students made a total of 30,371 visits to SNAC. September 2025 saw three of the busiest days in SNAC history within the first week, with 511 students visiting in one day, showing that food insecurity is a persistent and growing issue facing students at USU.
The purpose of the SNAC student fee is to ensure the sustainability and expansion of services that address food insecurity among USU students. This fee would support the purchase of nutritious foods and supplies for repacking recovered food and bulk-purchased food. With this funding, SNAC can decrease its reliance on outside agencies, allowing it to be accessible and sustainable for students. Additionally, this initiative helps create a more equitable campus by ensuring that all students have access to the resources they need to succeed academically and personally.
Foods that cater to dietary restrictions are often more expensive than their standard counterparts, making them out of reach for students already facing food insecurity. A portion of this funding would enable SNAC to ensure that students with dietary restrictions consistently have access to appropriate food options, including a variety of dairy-free, gluten-free, and other special dietary items. Some of the products SNAC would like to procure with this funding include fresh produce, gluten-free bread and pasta, brown rice, dairy products, dairy-free milk, as well as dietary alternatives to items like macaroni and cheese. Without this funding, SNAC is not able to consistently provide special dietary items and more expensive staple items (e.g., produce) for students and will continue to rely on donations, which does not meet the needs of all SNAC patrons.
In 2023, more than 13% of U.S. households experienced low food security, with rates significantly higher among vulnerable populations, including college students. Students face unique challenges, such as rising education costs, limited employment opportunities, and insufficient institutional support for affordable housing and food. Research estimates that 20-50% of college students experience low food security, with historically marginalized groups—including Black, Latinx, Indigenous, LGBTQ students, and those with disabilities—being most affected. A study conducted at USU in 2023-24 showed that 62% of student respondents (n=1,538) had experienced low or very low food security during the previous semester. Low food security means that students have enough food to avoid hunger but lack the nutritional variety necessary to meet their dietary needs. Very low food security indicates that students do not have access to a sufficient variety of food and may experience hunger due to inadequate food supply. Those facing very low food security often have to ration their food or skip meals entirely.
Low food security is linked to increased risks of depression, anxiety, and heightened stress, further compounding challenges for college students already prone to mental health struggles. Students experiencing low food security are 40% less likely to graduate, jeopardizing future economic opportunities. Many students face barriers to accessing long-term government assistance programs like SNAP due to eligibility restrictions.
Traditionally, higher education has served as a pathway to break the cycle of inter-generational poverty, helping students escape difficult situations. Programs like SNAC provide targeted solutions that support students' physical, mental, and academic well-being. In fact, the USU study indicated a high level of support for SNAC from student respondent: Students would support a fee of $18.05 annually to benefit services that SNAC provides. The full report with references and in-text citations can be found here.
If you have questions please reach out to Jonathon Walters, SNAC Program Coordinator.