Penn State students will now be able to use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards in Market East, the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) announced Monday evening.

Thanks to the combined efforts of UPUA, Lion’s Pantry, and Housing and Food Services, this move hopes to help tackle food insecurity and student poverty at University Park.

“We are so excited that the University decided to move forward on this. With stakeholders like Student Care and Advocacy, as well as Housing and Food Services, that helped push for action on student needs, this action just demonstrates a new era and focus on fighting student poverty,” UPUA President Najee Rodriguez told Onward State.

Rodriguez noted that this effort will increase accessibility and affordability of food, as well as provide a blueprint for expanding to other markets on campus. Additionally, Rodriguez mentioned they ran successful tests of the system this past Friday. According to a Penn State spokesperson, the system is still undergoing tests and should be up and running within the next few weeks.

“The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps Pennsylvanians buy food,” the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ website reads. “People in eligible low-income households can obtain more nutritious diets with SNAP increasing their food purchasing power at grocery stores and supermarkets. Those who are eligible receive an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) ACCESS Card to make food purchases.”

You can learn more about SNAP benefits online through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ website.