Oregon State market now accepts food stamps

In an effort to combat campus food insecurity, Oregon State University’s Cascadia Market will accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, or food stamps.

OSU students who participate in the federal program can now purchase food at the market using their Oregon Trail cards, according to officials, who say they hope the new program will serve as a model for other campus locations.

"We know anecdotally that some students come to campus with so many obligations that they have no food budget," Tara Sanders, university housing and dining services nutritionist, said in a statement. "We have the OSU Food Pantry and the Meal Bux program, but SNAP is another way to help students have access to nutritious food on campus."

OSU was approved to participate in the program last August and is now one of a few universities in the country to do so, according to a release.