A Collaborative Approach to Addressing Food Insecurity on a College Campus

Method 

Utilizing a cross-sectional survey design, 300 university students, faculty, and staff were surveyed regarding food insecurity. Participants were randomly selected from 12,000 university students, faculty and staff.  In addition to demographic related questions, the respondents were asked five food security-related questions (1) Was there ever a time when you did not have enough food for yourself or your household? (2) How often has your food supply been inadequate?, (3) Are you personally aware of a student or employee that does not have an adequate amount of food?, (4) State your level of agreement with the following statement: A food pantry is needed at name of college., (5) If name of college were to have a pantry on campus and you needed food, how likely would you be to utilize the services? A final question was allowed for comments regarding the establishment of a campus food pantry.

Results

Thirty percent of the respondents were students, fifteen percent faculty, forty-nine percent staff and five percent administrators. Fifty percent of the students responded there had been times when they or their households did not have enough food. Forty-five percent of the students responded this occurred at least 5 or more times during the previous semester.  Seventy-two percent of the students preferred a shopping style pantry. Forty-nine percent of the respondents replied they were aware of a student or staff member who did not have an adequate amount of food. Almost eighty percent of the respondents replied they would be willing to volunteer in a pantry and believed the campus needed a food pantry. Sixty-seven percent of the respondents indicated they would utilize the services of a pantry if they needed food. Findings suggested university students were at significant risk for food insecurity. Based on study findings university leaders and social work graduate students implemented a collaborative, cross-departmental response to address food insecurity.

Conclusions

Food insecurity is a significant issue for college students. While short-term responses are vital to address food security needs of students, it is also necessary to expand research on campus settings and strengthen support systems for this population. Further research is needed to assess the broader determinants of food insecurity and appropriate strategy responses, including social support policies, in this population. Additionally, any solution or response can be strengthened and sustained with an interdisciplinary collaborative approach that brings together multiple departments, administration, and student organizations.