College Student Food Insecurity Policy Analysis

Issues

Recent literature has addressed the prevalence of food insecurity in the subpopulation of college students. Though not often considered to be at risk for food insecurity, increased susceptibility occurs due to students’ new emergence into adulthood and the lack of adequate skill to handle associated responsibilities, such as financial management, adoption of a busier schedule, varied living arrangements, as well as food procurement and preparation. This potentially jeopardizes academic performance due to weakened health status, and may reduce one’s mental and physical ability to focus on coursework.

Description

A survey was administered to public and private university administrators in Ohio to analyze institution policies that address and eliminate food insecurity among students.

Lessons Learned

The access to nutritious food is a basic human right and a factor amongst many that ensures adequate physical and mental health; a right not to be forfeited when given the privilege to earn a postsecondary degree. Proposed solutions, such as student meal plan donations and campus food banks/pantries, have been implemented by universities taking the initiative to address food insecurity among students. Challenges to implementing interventions include general recognition of food insecurity among students and the ability to identify those in need of assistance.

Recommendations

Following risk assessment using the U.S. Adult Food Security Survey Module, next steps include developing eligibility guidelines similar to those used by federal benefits programs, engaging multiple stakeholder buy-in to successfully enforce and evaluate the proposed solution(s), as well as reporting annual findings to appropriate state and federal agencies.