Faculty and Staff Resources
Did you know?
At least a third and up to 39% of Cal Poly students experience food insecurity or inadequate access to food
More than 1 in 10 experience homelessness
The Cal Poly Food Pantry had about 90,000 visits (!) in 2025-2026
More than 7,000 Cal Poly students (almost a third) are allotted an average of $271/month for groceries
Cal Poly research shows that CalFresh is 89% effective in lifting students out of food insecurity
For every 1,000 Cal Poly students who participate in CalFresh, $6 million in economic activity is generated for the State of California per year
Recent California legislation has significantly increased college student CalFresh eligibility
How can I support Cal Poly students?
Add a basic needs and CalFresh statement to your syllabus
Invite a CalFresh Outreach team member to speak in your class or club
Post, upload, or print CalFresh flyers
Visit and refer your students to the Cal Poly Basic Needs website
Syllabus Statements
Include a short statement introducing Basic Needs on your syllabus as a complement to the other suggested resources, such as ones for DRC, Health and Wellbeing, and academic integrity statements.
Copy and paste these versions onto your syllabus.
Calfresh statement
Most Cal Poly students are eligible for CalFresh, a free public program that provides money for groceries. Check your eligibility and apply at calfreshcalpoly.org.
basic needs (short version)
If you or someone you know is having difficulty accessing enough healthy food or stable housing, please know that Cal Poly offers a number of free and effective resources. Visit www.basicneeds.calpoly.edu for more information.
basic needs (longer version)
39% of Cal Poly students experience food insecurity, or inadequate access to food. 12% experience homelessness. These challenges are common among college students and they lead to severe consequences for physical, mental, and academic wellbeing. If you or someone you know is having difficulty accessing basic needs like enough healthy food or stable housing, please know that Cal Poly offers a number of free and effective resources. Visit www.basicneeds.calpoly.edu for more information.
CalFresh Flyers
Cal Poly Basic Needs Website
The website includes information about the Cal Poly Food Pantry, Cal Poly Cares Grant, CalFresh Outreach, emergency housing and more: www.basicneeds.calpoly.edu
What does CalFresh mean for students?
spring 2019
“I didn’t think I’d qualify for something like that [CalFresh benefits]…it’s such a simple process...and I had that freedom to buy enough food.”
Megan, Former Cal Poly Student