SNAC releases 2026 annual report

Every year, Utah State University’s ​​Student Nutrition Access Center releases their annual report. This year, the report showed SNAC supported 5,903 individual people and distributed 341,537 pounds of food within the last year.

This impact across Cache Valley was possible in part thanks to SNAC’s mobile food pantry. ​​According to the press release on SNAC’s annual report, “since its launch in May 2025, they have served over 2,000 households through the Cache Valley community.”       

The press release also highlighted SNAC’s other impacts on students. Their mission is supported by three pillars: food access, food recovery and experiential education.   

“SNAC also rescued 54,000 pounds of food otherwise headed to the landfill and supported over 650 hours of projects accomplished by students across campus,” the press release reads.

One of the individuals served was ​​​​Clark ​​​​Lawrence, a former​​​​ USU Eastern student, who is now a junior at Utah Valley University.

“I liked how judgement-free the space was,” Lawrence said. “They never asked me for proof of my need. They just had me note down my student number then let me take a few items. Sometimes I came in for a snack. Sometimes I came in because I hadn’t been able to make it to the cafeteria before closing and it was the only food I would get until the next day.” 

Lawrence noted the safety and reliability that SNAC provided them.

“I haven’t always been the most mentally sound,” Lawrence said. “Thus getting food for myself was a struggle. Having a reliable source just down the road helped ease a lot of stress.”

Lawrence also commented on the community aspect of SNAC. 

“Being on such a small campus, you get pretty used to people’s routines,” Lawrence said. “If you yourself go consistently, then you get to see the same familiar faces. It’s nice to see the same smiling faces. It made school more bearable. It also served as a nice hangout spot for friends to relax and have a snack together.”

Another student impacted by SNAC was Alexa Young, a senior journalism student at USU’s Logan campus.

“I actually come up like once a week,” Young said. “It kind of supplements my grocery bills from being too expensive. I use it as an add-on to my groceries too.”

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Students line up for the SNAC on the third floor of the TSC on Nov. 5. (Utah Statesman / Owen Clarke)

The SNAC annual report also mentioned grocery costs.

“With the rising grocery cost and expanded awareness of SNAC, student demand continues to grow,” the report reads. “We are taking conscious steps to prepare for this demand and expand our services in sustainable ways.”

Young commented on the location. 

“I think that it’s kind of local, so it’s not too far from where I live,” Young said. “When I go home, I can stop by on the way out of my classes and then pick up and go home, so it’s kind of a nice central location.”

Lawrence talked about the convenience of the USU Eastern SNAC location.  

“I found SNAC to be convenient,” Lawrence said. “It was centered in a convenient spot on campus. The food options were solid, and the snack options were great.” 

This year,​​​​ SNAC has seen several successes.​​​​ One of these successes was ranking third in the nation with their Harvest Rescue partner​​​​ by the Food Recovery Network. Another one of those successes was receiving the Val R. Christensen Service Award at USU’s Robins Awards​​​​ for SNAC’s service to the USU community. 

This upcoming year, SNAC announced two new major projects. The first of these projects is Nourish University. This will feature collaborative cook-along lessons with the goal of creating lasting behavior and more food security.  

The second announcement is that SNAC is preparing to move to a new and bigger location, planned to be by Aggie Village. The goal of this move is to ensure enough space to meet the growing demand. 

For now, SNAC on the USU main campus is located at the TSC on the third floor in Room 332B. It is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from n​​​​oon to 6 p.m.