CalFresh grants $150 in grocery money per month

What is CalFresh? According to one of the program’s coordinators, Ember D’Agosta, “Calfresh is a nutrition program that provides eligible households and individuals with a monthly allowance for groceries.” Once accepted into the CalFresh program, eligible students can receive $150 or more towards food expenses.

A member of the CalFresh team, Jason Arellano, is an assistant who described the program as, “An easy way students can schedule an appointment and receive a customized level of support through an EBT card.” Near Sonoma State there are many retailers who support the CalFresh program, six of which are within a one mile radius of the school. EBT cards can be used at popular stores such as Safeway and Walmart, as well as sonoma county farmers markets.

Calfresh Coordinator who aims to normalize the use of the program. Gardea described how “There is nothing wrong with needing support when you need it.”

Do you ever feel like you have to prioritize education over your basic nutritional needs? As a student, money can be tight and balancing your own checkbook isn’t easy. If this is relatable, CalFresh may be a program fit for you.

D’Agosta spoke about how, “Our CalFresh office on campus is where we work with students and find out if they are eligible for the program.” They also work with students who do not qualify for CalFresh to find other resources around or near campus that may be helpful to them. Additionally, they work closely with other schools to continually improve the CalFresh program.

The CalFresh coordinators are happy to help those needing assistance. Alyssa Gardea is a

Calfresh requires appointments for interviews to see if students qualify for the program’s support. If you are off campus and wish to find a more local way to get an in person appointment, CalFresh is available throughout the entire CSU system. They also have offices in several local counties allowing for students anywhere to participate. Qualifying students must follow at least one of the many requirements. Some of these requirements include: working at least 20 hours per week on average, receiving CalWORKS benefits, working in CalFresh employment or another job training program accepted by CalFresh.To contact CalFresh online, you can reach them by email at CalFresh@ sonoma.edu or fill out the intake form at forms.gle/ La8hvz1ubccwRKY48. For any further questions, the programs office is located on the second floor of the student center.

Even if you are not sure if this is for you, there is zero downside of seeking the consultation of the CalFresh team. Student life can be stressful, so don’t wait to take advantage of this opportunity and take a hold of your situations.

What’s cooking in The Kitchens?

Quick and easy food recipes are hard to come by. Luckily here at SSU we have Executive Chef Don Cortes to help fellow Seawolves replicate tasty and affordable meals. Each semester, culinary services offers free cooking classes. Not only do students learn valuable life skills, but they end the class with a free meal.

Wednesday, Feb. 15 at The Kitchens, Chef Don hosted a cooking class where students made Cacio e Pepe con Salmon; a delicious Italian dish. This free hands-on cooking tutorial allows students to gain experience and learn new culinary techniques Chef Don said, “I think it’s great to teach life skills to students…I want to make sure that the ingredients are achievable, cost-effective, and at the same time impress family and friends with the type of dishes that I teach.”

These free classes are for all students-regardless of their cooking skills. Carina Bautista, one of the students who was in attendance said, “I would rate my experience a 10/10. I learned how to make a pasta dish which seemed difficult at first, but the instructions were easy to follow.” The Cacio e Pepe con Salmon pasta is quick to make and the ingredients the recipe called for are most likely already in your pantry..

“In Chef Don’s class, he is very energet-

MALIA TERAN STAFF WRITER

ic when teaching his students how to cook Cacio e Pepe con Salmon.” According to fellow Seawolf Jincie Zadrozny. She also said that, “This experience was amazing. The moment we stepped into the kitchen, Don made the cooking class captivating… He’s a great chef and an even better teacher!” Chef Don is passionate when he teaches the classes which make students want to attend. After he demonstrates the steps the recipes call for, students then get to cook the meal under the supervision of Don.

Classes are taught in The Kitchens where Don and several other other chefs work regularly. Student Kaylie Richards said, “ [the cooking class] was really fun. I thought it was cool to be in a commercial kitchen and experience something different. [the Cacio e Pepe con Salmon] was a yummy recipe… It’s a great life skill and it’s a good activity to do with your friends.” Richards attended the cooking class with her best friend and viewed the activity as a “fun bonding experience.” This experience allows students to cook their salmon, pasta and make their own sauce.

Chef Don explained to the STAR why SSU students should attend the cooking class,“They will leave here fed, knowing another skill, and making new friends.” Always stay on the lookout for cooking classes with Chef Don and make sure you RSVP in advance. Chef Don said, “I’ve been fortunate that these cooking classes have been very popular. I always sellout a month in advance... I have a lot of returners and new faces. So that’s good, that means someone elbowed someone to get into the class.” If this interests you, stay on the lookout and browse the Seawolf Living page for more student events.