Ramen Noodles no longer need to be the staple of a hungry college student’s diet. Recent developments enable students attending technical, trade or vocational schools to receive food assistance through FoodShare Wisconsin.

The Foodshare Outreach Program is being promoted by food banks across the country. The purpose is to educate people on eligibility and the application process. Wisconsin is ranked 25 in FoodShare enrollment.

Since the program was launched in June 2009, Second Harvest Foodbank in Madison has assisted with over 3,000 applications.

Many people who regularly visit food banks are typically already receiving some sort of assistance, according to FoodShare Outreach Manager Michelle Kramer. Thus, she is attempting to locate those who qualify, but may not realize it.

“A third of the eligible population is not enrolled in the program so we’re looking for those folks” Kramer said. “We want to know that when the people go home at the end of the day that they have a healthy meal waiting for them.”

Students at Madison Area Technical College are being educated on the recent changes that could make them eligible through collaboration between the volunteer center and Second Harvest Foodbank.

Kramer visited the college in December where she helped five students complete the application. She will be returning again on Jan. 24 with the hope of assisting additional students.

“Nobody should have to choose between buying food and paying for rent, heat, medications, or childcare,” Kramer said.

Still, some eligible students may not be quick to apply for assistance because of a stigma that is attached to the program. FoodShare is commonly associated with the term “Food Stamps.” They are essentially the same thing, but Kramer said Food Stamps is an antiquated name with a negative connotation. Instead, she describes it as a supplemental safety net program much like social security.

“FoodShare is one of those basic needs. Everybody has to have food.” Kramer said. “So we definitely need people to realize that they should benefit from this program.”

A’Tonye Adjei is a single mother of two who recently returned to Madison College to pursue her registered nursing degree. She previously worked as a licensed practitioner nurse, but was laid off more than a year ago. During that time she had to apply for FoodShare to feed her family.

“It was a little bit embarrassing because I had a good job, but then I lost it,” Adjei said. She is grateful for the program because otherwise she would be lining up at food pantries and wouldn’t be able to return to school.

“You got to do what you got to do to support your family,” Adjei said. She is in support of making it easier for students to qualify for FoodShare benefits.

Students who qualify could receive up to $200 a month. Taking advantage of the benefits is one way that taxes come back to the local community. At the same time, it can also boost the economy.

For every $5 spent in FoodShare benefits it generates $9.20 in local economic activity, according to and estimate by the USDA. Increased enrollment in the program doesn’t affect the state budget because it is federally funded.

“Right now at this point, there is an unlimited pot for FoodShare money,” Kramer said.  She urges people to apply because eating healthy now can aid in preventing future health problems.

There is no guarantee that people will eat healthier just because they are receiving food assistance. Kramer said she has received backlash from those who dislike the fact the people can purchase any food product with FoodShare, but she discourages regulating what people eat.

“Until you feel like you can manage having enough can you really go and start making very nutritional choices?” Kramer asked.