Food And Financial Resources

SNAP Benefits

This section does not apply to international students!

SNAP, colloquially known as food stamps, is a federally funded program that provides direct monthly payments for food for qualified applicants. In Minnesota, you can qualify as a student if you make under $2,609 a month and work at least 20 hours a week (which is true for most graduate students in SPA). You can apply online, but you will have to complete an interview over the phone or in person. You can also visit Boynton Health's website about applying for SNAP for more information on if you could qualify.

Nutritious U

Boynton Health has a variety of programs to get free or reduced cost groceries to students. You can check their schedule here to see when and where they have opportunities to get food.

Nutritious U Pantry

The Nutritious U Pantry is a food pantry for UMN students run by Boynton Health. The main location is in Coffman Memorial Union which is less than a 5 minute walk from Tate or PAN. This pantry is open on most  Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am-6pm. You can stop by once per week for free groceries, but they ask that you bring your own bag.

Mobile Market

On Wednesdays from 3:30PM-4:30PM you can stop by the intersection of Walnut St and Washington Ave to get reduced cost groceries. This mobile grocery store is run by The Food Group and boasts that for every $10 you spend, you are getting $30 worth of groceries.

Free Food Calendar

The Free Food Club at UMN maintains a calendar of all the events you can go to that have free food. You can stop by a club's event, eat a meal, and maybe find a new interest!

Climate and Diversity Committee Resources

The Climate and Diversity Committee maintains a list of financial resources for SPA students on their website.