Food Security
Gator Grub Alert
Gator Grub Alert is an opt-in channel on the SF State Mobile app where students can sign up to be notified whenever there is free food on campus. This program allows Staff & Faculty to post excess catered food after their events, which supports students in getting a free meal and helps reduce food waste on campus.
Gator grub Alert FAQs
- Download the SF State Mobile app.
- Log in using your SF State ID and password and allow push notifications.
- From the homepage, select the Dining tile.
- Scroll down to “Gator Grub Alerts” and select “Manage Gator Grub Alerts.”
- Review the Gator Grub Alert Waiver of Liability, then select “Continue to Opt-In.”
You’re now ready to receive free food alerts!
- Check your notification. When a Gator Grub Alert is sent, you’ll receive a message in the SF State Mobile app with details about what free food is available, where on campus, and when.
- Spread the word. Let other SF State students nearby know so they can join in.
- Head to the location listed in the alert, pick up your grub, and enjoy!
Helpful Tips:
- Arrive ASAP — food goes fast!
- Bring a to-go container if you have one.
- Thank your host for sharing the leftovers.
CalFresh Help Clinic
The CalFresh Help Clinic is located in the Basic Needs Center. Email us at calfresh@sfsu.edu to schedule an appointment, we also accept walk-in appointments based on availability.
What is CalFresh?
CalFresh, commonly known as EBT, is a federally funded grocery assistance program that provides eligible recipients with up to $298 per month for groceries. CalFresh benefits do not affect financial aid.
- Students with zero income may qualify.
- Students moving to California to attend SFSU may qualify.
- Students living on campus may be able to reduce their meal plan before applying.
What we can help with:
- Understand CalFresh eligibility
- Reduce your meal plan before applying
- Complete your application
- Gather required documents
- Prepare for your county interview
- Learn how to maximize your benefits
Request a CalFresh Help Clinic appointment
Check Your Eligibility
You may be eligible for CalFresh if you:
- Are a U.S Citizen or be a green card holder
- Have a total household income that falls below the 200% federal poverty level.
Not sure if you qualify? Use the CalFresh Eligibility Screener or schedule an appointment with the CalFresh Help Clinic.
Eligibility Details
Students enrolled in 6 or more units must also either:
- Be an undergraduate student, or meet at least one of the following conditions:
- Work 20 or more hours per week off campus
- Work any number of hours on campus
- Participate in a research or teaching assistantship
- Be a parent of a dependent child under age 12
- Participate in a graduate or certificate-only program that includes a required work-related component
See the CalFresh Eligibility Tool for a full list of qualifying programs and student exemptions.
- A household is defined as a person or group of individuals living together that purchase, cook, and prepare meals together.
- Students living on campus OR renting a room off-campus outside of their family home can apply as a household size of 1, and parental income will not be counted.
- Students living with their parents AND are under the age of 22 are required to include the income of all adults within the household.
CalFresh FAQs
No, if you meet a student eligibility rule, you are not required to have any income. If you are in a larger household, other individuals’ incomes may apply.
No, financial aid, scholarships, fellowships and loans are not counted towards your income limit!
It depends on your age and whether or not you live with your parents. Please see the household composition section for more information.
Contact your local county office if you have already been interviewed and all of your documents have been submitted. Residing and applying in San Francisco County? Email us at calfresh@sfsu.edu so we can work with the county to troubleshoot your case.
Absolutely not! If you were approved, you likely have multiple monthly allotments bank-rolled in you card. Request a new card so you can access your benefits. Log into or create your BenefitsCal account and be sure to complete any case updates if applicable so you can continue to receive benefits.
We’re not able to assess your case to determine your allotment size. You can visit SNAP Eligibility Calculator - California to get a better idea of what you may receive. The estimate is not guaranteed. Eligibility workers will use your income and household expenses (specifically rent, utilities, and sewage bills, etc.) to determine how much you can receive in CalFresh funds.
Income is counted on a thirty-day rolling basis. If you apply on September 1st, any income received between August 1st and September 1st will be counted. You can apply as soon as the income you received in the past 30 days falls below the appropriate income limit.
You are not required to report a change in your student status until your recertification period and continue receiving benefits until the case update. After you report the change in your student status, you must meet work requirements to continue receiving benefits.
Emergency Meal Card (EMC) Program
The EMC Program is designed to provide immediate short-term access to meals for students facing unforeseen circumstances that hinder their ability to secure food. It is intended to bridge the gap during a crisis, providing immediate food access while connecting students with long-term solutions. Recognizing that situations such as (but not limited to) job loss, transitional housing, or power shutdowns can severely limit access to necessary nourishment, this program serves as a vital resource for those in need. Given this is an emergency and limited resource, it is not able or intended to be a long-term resource for food security, to supplement to a meal plan, or to be used for general cost cutting. As a part of this program, we also work to connect students with additional resources to support their ongoing food access and security.
This program helps elevate student food security by providing free meals at Monarca Dining Hall and Yerba Buena Dining Hall to SFSU students facing barriers accessing enough food.
Notice: This program is active during the fall and spring semesters only. Meal card applications, and pick-ups, will be closed during fall and spring break periods, as well as winter and summer sessions due to dining hall closures.
Meal Card Details
- This is an emergency program. It is not able or intended to be a long-term resource for food security, to supplement to a meal plan, or to be used for general cost cutting.
- Meal cards are intended to be a one-time resource. We also understand that folks can experience multiple unexpected crises during a semester, and in this case, we are able to approve up to two emergency meal cards per semester given other eligibility is met.
- Meal cards hold 10 meal swipes that can be used at Monarca and Yerba Buena Dining Halls on campus.
How to apply for an Emergency Meal Card
- Complete the Emergency Meal Card Application.
- The Basic Needs Team will review and respond to applications within 3 business days.
- Staff will contact you with your approval/denial status or request additional information if needed.
- If approved, you’ll reveive an email notification with instructions on how to pick up your meal card.
Find Free Food in Your Area
Associated Students (AS) Food Pantry and Gator Groceries
Pick up free food on campus every week! In partnership with the SF-Marin Food Bank, AS Food Pantry and Gator Groceries provide students free and nutritious food weekly.