Addressing Food Insecurity on College Campuses: Strategies for a Healthier Academic Environment

Food insecurity on college campuses is a critical issue that can significantly impact students' well-being and academic achievement. This is a problem that many university students face, and it's important to understand the available solutions to overcome these challenges.

Understanding Food Insecurity

Food insecurity is a major concern across various institutions of higher education. It can affect a wide range of students and can be a hidden issue that often goes unnoticed. In some cases, it is not strange at all, as it is common for many students to experience difficulties in accessing nutritious food due to financial constraints.

For students facing food insecurity, it is crucial to seek support from their parents or trusted individuals who can offer assistance. However, for students who are away from their families and living far from home, such as two days' journey by bus, feeling isolated during these struggles is normal. It is important to remember that these experiences are part of the broader picture of life, and seeking help is a step towards finding solutions.

Strategies to Address Food Insecurity on Campus

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to food insecurity, but several strategies can help mitigate its impact on college campuses:

1. Collect Data

The first step to addressing food insecurity is recognizing its existence. Administrators and researchers should collect data on how many students experience food insecurity during the academic term, which groups of students are at higher risk, and how food insecurity impacts their academic progress. This data can inform how institutions should respond to student food insecurity. By understanding the scale and nature of the issue, colleges can develop targeted approaches to support their students.

2. Open a Campus Food Pantry

Campus food pantries can play a vital role in providing food supplies to the entire college community, especially if there is no affordable grocery store nearby.

For instance, the College and Food Bank Alliance reports over 700 pantries on college campuses. At the University of Michigan, and many other universities in the US, pantries were established by students who were the first to recognize the problem. Since its opening in April, the campus food pantry, Maize and Blue Cupboard, has served 2,000 students and the need continues to rise. These food pantries can provide valuable resources to students in times of need, but they should not be seen as a comprehensive solution to food insecurity.

3. Create a Network of Other Food Resources for Students

Strategies can include methods such as enabling students with unused meals or "swipes" to donate dining hall meals to other students, supporting campus community gardens, and opening affordable grocery stores near campus for students who don't have reliable transportation. Additionally, integrating food insecurity screening and resources into university health services and providing on-campus application assistance for SNAP food stamps can further enhance support for students.

4. Encourage Students to Support Each Other

Students should educate and support each other so that students who need help don't feel embarrassed about seeking assistance. At the University of Michigan, the guide "Being Not Rich at UM" gained national attention and linked students with needed resources in the surrounding community, helping to change misconceptions that being a Michigan student means you come from an affluent background. Programs like these can foster a more inclusive and supportive campus culture.

5. Support Federal Policies that Improve Food Security for College Students

Currently, many low-income college students are not eligible for SNAP benefits due to strict eligibility criteria. The introduction of the College Student Hunger Act of 2019 by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Al Lawson aims to allow all low-income college students to access SNAP. Additionally, expanding Title IV financial aid and scholarship programs can help students afford a college education without sacrificing their food or basic needs.

Conclusion

By implementing these strategies, colleges can make significant strides in addressing food insecurity and creating a healthier academic environment for all students. It is crucial for institutions to recognize the issue, collect data, open campus food pantries, create a network of food resources, and support students in their efforts to overcome food insecurity. Supporting federal policies that improve food security for college students is also essential in ensuring that all students have the opportunity to pursue their education without fear of food insecurity.