EKU store to allow SNAP benefits as payment

RICHMOND, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is now the first university in Kentucky to accept SNAP benefits as payment at an on-campus market. Officials announced the initiative during a ribbon-cutting event on campus.

Provisions on Demand (POD), a market located in the Stratton Building, sells ready-to-eat meals, snacks, beverages, and other necessities to students, faculty, and visitors. EKU representatives confirmed that customers can now use their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to make purchases.

EKU student and mother of three expressed gratitude for the program, saying, “Too often I end up skipping meals entirely because I don’t have the time or energy to figure it out. That’s why the acceptance of SNAP here, at the POD in Stratton, is such a big deal. For students like me, who are stretched thin and juggling more responsibilities than we can count, this change is more than just a convenience, it’s a lifeline.”

The initiative is a collaboration between EKU and its food service provider, Aramark, and aims to address food insecurity among students.

EKU is setting a precedent in Kentucky by becoming the first university to integrate SNAP benefits into its campus dining services. The program is available for use immediately.