by Ryndi Greenwell
Cal Poly Humboldt students and staff that use EBT are in for some good news! The university is soon to accept EBT payment at the College Creek Marketplace and Giant’s Cupboard stores. This change is estimated to be implemented by the end of December according to Todd Larsen, Senior Executive Director for Enterprise Services dining, bookstores, children’s center, student activities and events.
The university and their dining vendor, Chartwells, have been striving to accept EBT for quite some time. The Marketplace previously held permits to accept EBT back in 2016, however the program paused in 2020. This was due to the university taking over management of the store, as it was auxiliary before. Cal Poly Humboldt has since been trying to obtain them again.
“The university launched an EBT program allowing students, staff and faculty to use EBT cards at the College Creek Marketplace,” Larsen said. “The campus auxiliary held the USDA permit that’s needed to operate EBT. The university took over management of the campus auxiliary in 2020, pausing the EBT program. Since then, the university has been in the process of obtaining a new permit and getting set up to accept EBT.”
In order for a store to be eligible for the USDA’s EBT application, a personal guarantee must be arranged and be signed by the university as an organization, not the dining vendor. The school has submitted the application and it is pending approval. They are likely to be approved, as both the Marketplace and Cupboard meet the USDA’s requirements of products being 50% non-prepared food items.
“We have submitted our applications to the USDA and are currently awaiting their pending physical inspections to proceed to the next approval step,” Larsen said. “Our goal is to have EBT up and running by the end of December.”
Meal swipes can lighten the load, but for many students not on meal plans, eating on campus can be an expensive endeavor. Even just a small snack and drink can be double the price on campus than it is at most grocery stores in the area. This change will ensure that EBT users can fill their belly on campus without breaking the bank.
Ryndi Greenwell is a reporter for LJ who enjoys cooking, singing, and painting. Contact her by email rg315@humboldt.edu.