The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Tag: OhSnap!

  • Students advocate for award-winning food sovereignty lab.

    Students advocate for award-winning food sovereignty lab.

    Awaiting approval from President Jackson, the food sovereignty lab is the first of its kind

    After facing rejection multiple times from administration, the request to use the former Hilltop Marketplace as the location for an entirely student-lead food sovereignty lab is finally getting attention from the higher-ups.

    Last semester, on the first day of class, professor of Indigenous Natural Resource Management Practices Cutcha Risling Baldy, posed students with two questions they would have the entire term to answer: first, what do you think HSU needs? Second, what do you think we can accomplish as a class in the semester?

    The idea students came up with is a food sovereignty lab that could be used for academics, events and gatherings and it would be connected directly to food security. The food-lab would be the first of its kind available in all California Universities, possibly all colleges in the country.

    Amanda McDonald is a leader of the Waste Reduction Resource Awareness Program at HSU and one of the student participants in the food-lab project. According to McDonald, food security is the number one student need across all CSU campuses. She feels our current food security program, OhSNAP! is a huge help, but students need more.

    “The OhSNAP! student food pantry has done an outstanding job at helping meet basic student needs in the past two years, however, it is simply not enough,” McDonald said. “The Food Sovereignty Lab will work in tandem with organizations like OhSNAP! to address innovative solutions to food security, food sovereignty and sustainability. Through conducting research, writing grants and collaborating with community gardens in our region, the potential of this Lab has yet to even scratch the surface.”

    The student-led project is backed by award-winning research. Carrie Tully is a graduate student in the environmental and community program at HSU and also one of the students that participated in the food sovereignty project.

    “My classmate presented this research to the CSU research competition and our classes’ research was selected by the University to participate in the competition,” Tully said. “They won second place in the graduate level behavioral and social sciences field.”

    The University’s initial decision to deny the space was especially frustrating after their achievement, considering they were selected by the University to participate in the competition.

    “Our request was denied by the committee in a very casual email,” McDonald said.”

    The University’s Space and Advisory committee’s response stated they believe the former Hilltop Marketplace would better serve as a general student space, accessible to all.

    “The Coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for local sustainability, food security and food sovereignty.”

    Ted Hernandez

    McDonald couldn’t make sense of the committee’s decision. The last use of the location was a marketplace, designed specifically for the purpose of putting food in the hands of students. McDonald and the others also envisioned the food-lab as a place that would be available to everyone – the diverse student-population, surrounding communities, tribal nations and national and international scholars. It would be a kitchen space that could be used for academics, events and gatherings.

    “If they’re thinking it is better suited as a lounge, there is a lounge on every floor of the BSS,” McDonald said. “Or they can build a lounge on any part on campus.”

    In response to the committee’s decision to deny the space request, there was a significant outcry of community support for the food sovereignty project, including over 80 letters received from students, staff, faculty, local organizations and members of tribal nations in a single week.

    Wiyot Tribe Chairman, Ted Hernandez, is one of the many to have sent a letter supporting the project. In his letter, Hernandez explains how the food-lab would be especially beneficial to us now, given the pandemic.

    “The Coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for local sustainability, food security and food sovereignty,” Hernandez said.

    Hernandez supports the food lab because it will benefit HSU, the local community and local tribes.

    “The end result would be an interdisciplinary learning lab worthy of HSU that would both attract Indigenous people and students from out of the area,” Hernandez said. “While also serving the local Indigenous peoples by helping to preserve their food sovereignty and native food security.”

    Students from NAS 331 presented their proposal to the Associated Students board of directors and the University Senate this summer. The former Hilltop Marketplace was approved to be used for the food sovereignty lab, May 28, by the University Space and Facilities Advisory Committee. Then again on July 19, by AS President Jeremiah Finley – suggesting it be adopted into the next HSU academic master plan.

    The project is still currently awaiting approval from the President’s office, the Academic Master Plan group and Facilities Management. For now, it seems the COVID-19 pandemic has caused another roadblock in the project and the grand-opening of the food-lab is yet to be determined.

  • Students Rely on OhSNAP! in Pandemic

    Students Rely on OhSNAP! in Pandemic

    On-campus food pantry provides for students in need

    With the J dining hall closed and grocery stores inducing anxiety, some students are relying on Humboldt State’s OhSNAP! pantry for food.

    OhSNAP! will remain open for the rest of the semester, serving students Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. on the bottom floor of the Jolly Giant Commons. OhSNAP! can also deliver food directly to you if you can’t make it to campus (email mira@humboldt.edu for more information).

  • Only One Location at Humboldt State Accepts EBT

    Only One Location at Humboldt State Accepts EBT

    College Creek Marketplace is the only location on campus that accepts CalFresh food benefits

    Humboldt State University is one of the first universities to accept Electronic Benefit Transfer cards.

    According to Iran Ortiz, a 5th year student and Oh SNAP! employee, options on campus are limited to where students can spend their food stamps.

    “The only place on campus that accepts food stamps, or CalFresh benefits, is the Marketplace,” Ortiz said.

    CalFresh, previously called food stamps and federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is a U.S. Department of Agriculture run program that provides eligible households with an EBT card that works like a debit card.

    According to CalFresh’s website, EBT cards can be used at most grocery stores and farmers markets, but benefits are meant to be supplemental and not intended to meet a family’s entire food need.

    The process to sign up for CalFresh can be tricky if doing it by yourself. But Oh SNAP! is student-driven with a mission is to increase HSU students access to food and they can help with the process of signing up for EBT.

    “Although we are not eligibility workers, so we can not determine benefits or how much you get, we can help you out throughout the whole process of CalFresh. We’ve been trained by CalFresh workers to know the whole process and all of that.”

    Iran Ortiz

    Ortiz explains how her and other Oh SNAP! employees can help students sign up.

    “The process for students is different because they abide by student eligibility requirements,” Ortiz said. “Although we are not eligibility workers, so we can not determine benefits or how much you get, we can help you out throughout the whole process of CalFresh. We’ve been trained by CalFresh workers to know the whole process and all of that.”

    Sara Olsen is a third year with previous experience with Oh SNAP! who remembers some of the requirements of signing up for EBT benefits through Oh SNAP!

    “The people who help, volunteer and work for Oh SNAP! are very helpful and will give you paperwork to fill out,” Olsen said. “Which they will then fax in office if you’re ready.”

    Olsen explains that after submitted the paperwork, CalFresh will call and set up a phone interview. After deemed eligible for the program, an EBT card is sent in the mail.

    Alexandre Sicaud is the manager of the College Creek Marketplace and doesn’t know the exact reasoning behind the Marketplace being the only place to accept EBT on campus.

    “We used to only have one EBT scanner, then we upgraded to two,” said Sicaud. “But as for why we’re the only place on campus, it might have to do with the fact that we’re the largest grocery operation.”

    CalFresh benefits are provided to help pay for groceries. In fact, hot foods can not be purchased with an EBT card in an effort to promote healthy and nutritious alternatives.

    If you need help filling out CalFresh paperwork, head to the Oh SNAP! office located in the Recreation Wellness Center, room 122.

  • Student Spotlight: OhSnap! volunteers on their way to graduation

    Student Spotlight: OhSnap! volunteers on their way to graduation

    This week’s Student Spotlight focuses on seniors Victoria Nazario and Alexus Walker

    Victoria Nazario and Alexus Walker are seniors who work at OhSnap! and are changing the lives of HSU students by helping fulfill their nutritional needs.

    What are your majors?

    Nazario: I am majoring in psychology and minoring in journalism.

    Walker: My major is biology with an emphasis on cellular molecular.

    Why did you choose your major/minor?

    Nazario: I came in for biology but was stirred in for psychology by my advisor because it was the easier way out. I tell people I’m more of a journalism major because I dedicate more of my time to journalism. I chose journalism because I feel like it has given me a way to express what I love, which is health and women’s health. I write for El Lenador and typically write about health stories. It has given me a voice to keep in touch with what I enjoy.

    Walker: I came in as a bio-chem major but it was too rigorous. I always knew I wanted to go to med school and as I went further in my bio-chem career I realized it wasn’t preparing me for med school, so I switched. Biology with an emphasis on cellular molecular is more hands on.

    Where are you both originally from?

    Nazario: I’m from Los Angeles, east Los Angeles.

    Walker: I am from San Diego, California.

    What has been your favorite part about living in Humboldt?

    Nazario: Meeting new people. Humboldt County has helped me grow in a way because I have been able to think for myself, and by meeting new people it has given me new perspectives.

    Walker: I think due to the fact that I am from Southern California I go to the beach a lot, up here you get the best of both worlds. You can go to the beach but then 20 minutes away there is snow in the winter. There’s fresh air up here, no smog.

    What is your least favorite part of Humboldt?

    Nazario: My least favorite part about Humboldt State are the academic advisors here. I try to give them the benefit of the doubt but I have had only one solid good academic advisor and he was for students who don’t have a major. I still find myself going to him because I don’t get the guidance I need. As far as Humboldt its really slow paced, I’m used to fast pace.

    Walker: Being from Southern California its slow paced here sometimes. I feel like advisors aren’t as helpful up here as they can be. You have to find a niche here to help find your footing. Some advisors are just passing through and don’t take the time with you or build relationships.

    Why did you want to get involved with OhSnap!?

    Nazario: Because I am interested in all things health. Before working at OhSnap! I was taking a couple of nutritional classes. I know I want to be involved with health and women.

    Walker: I’ve always wanted to help people. I’ve always been passionate about food insecurity and helping people learn that there are resources out there. To tell people there is Calfresh out there and to break that stigma that people feel like they have to look down upon themselves because of food assistance.

    What’s the most you have gotten from working at OhSnap!?

    Nazario: I think it’s really cool we’re here to feed people. Food is very important to students on campus and it’s a really great resource. We get to break the stigma around EBT and Calfresh. I tell my friends all the time to come in and get food. I think it’s very important for students to utilize the resources they have here.

    Walker: I have gotten more people experience. When I got to college I was an introvert but since working at OhSnap! I’ve helped people apply to Medicaid and food assistance. I see students around campus and they’re happy. They tell me thank you for telling them about OhSnap! and it feels good to know you’re helping students who otherwise wouldn’t know.

    What advice do you have for incoming students?

    Nazario: To make sure to take advantage of all resources they have on campus. Don’t be scared to ask questions and if your advisor sucks don’t end there, keep going to other advisors because you pay for it. Make sure to get the help you need.

    Walker: To use all the resources available. To join clubs and get out a lot. Find yourself. If you’re coming from a bigger city to Humboldt it’s a really good learning experience and you grow a lot and find out about yourself. If someone says you can’t do something don’t listen to them. Keep it simple, don’t give up and work hard. If you need help don’t be afraid to ask.

  • Who Knew? At HSU: OhSnap!

    Who Knew? At HSU: OhSnap!

    In this installment of Who Knew? At HSU, we take a look at OhSnap!. This program offers free food and cooking classes to students as well as other services. Find out about all the hidden gems Humboldt State has offer by watching Who Knew? At HSU every week.

    Video by: Alexandria Hasenstab