Why Are Hungry College Students Not Seeking Help? Predictors of and Barriers to Using an On-Campus Food Pantry

Abstract

Background: The number of food pantries on U.S. college campuses has increased in response to students’ food insecurity, but limited information is available to describe the impact of this resource. The objective of this cross-sectional investigation was to examine the relationship between food insecurity and food pantry awareness, use, and perceived barriers to use. Methods: Students attending the University of Florida in fall 2017 (n = 899) completed the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Adult Food Security Survey and responded to questions about food pantry awareness and use. Sociodemographic data were also collected and included in multivariate logistic regression models. Results: While most students (70%) were aware of the existing food pantry, nearly a third of respondents were classified as being food insecure. After adjusting for sociodemographic correlates, factors such as identifying as being food insecure, international status, and receiving a student loan or a need-based federal financial aid (Pell grant) increased the likelihood of utilizing the campus food pantry. Despite these predictors, only 38% of food insecure students reported food pantry use. Among students who provided qualitative insights, four main barriers to using the on-campus food pantry were identified: social stigma, insufficient information on pantry use policies, self-identity, and inconvenient hours. Conclusions: Food security interventions and administrative policy should consider a new model of the traditional campus food pantry that reduces concerns of social stigma and is supported by clear and ongoing communications of operational procedures tailored for the college student population.

“Everybody I Know Is Always Hungry…But Nobody Asks Why”: University Students, Food Insecurity and Mental Health

“…Nonetheless, some students discussed experiencing shame and stigma in accessing these services. Food banks are, evidently, unlikely to be a "catch-all" solution for food insecurity [42], as some students yearn to access food in a dignified and socially acceptable manner. Therefore, with adequate financial support, guidance and tools that may improve their access to food, this study suggests that some students value autonomy and capacity to make healthier choices without compromising their dignity.…”

WISH4Campus: Evaluating College Food Insecurity and Promoting Solutions for Student Wellbeing

“…Shockingly, the findings showed that student food insecurity prevalence was 21%; a rate higher than the national average at the time of 11% [111] and nearly three times higher than the average prevalence in the state of Hawaii (7.8%) [112]. This first study was monumental in establishing that food insecurity might be a challenge many college students face and set forth the precedence for investigation on other including Alabama [27,115], Arizona [25,120], California [109,118,121,122], Florida [123], Hawaii [110], Illinois [124], Maryland [29], Massachusetts [125], Michigan [24],…”

“…A demographic variable identified as a potential risk factor for college food insecurity, similar to national food insecurity, is race/ethnicity. College students that classify as minority status have been identified in multiple studies to have higher prevalence of food insecurity [24,29,110,115,123,124,129,131,136,143].…”

“…Specifically, African American students have been identified as more likely to be food insecure than students from other races or ethnicities [29,124] reported that international students are more likely to be food insecure compared to both in-state and out-of-state students in Florida [123]. Therefore, students of minority status may require additional assistance to prevent food insecurity during college.…”

“…Financial aid could be thought to provide support against food insecurity by affording students a source of financial support, however, the literature suggests that receiving financial aid increases the likelihood that a student will become food insecure [26,29,115,120,123,124,126,132,142,143]. Some studies only investigate whether a student receives financial aid or not [26,29,115,143], with Davidson [26,132] standing students compared to graduate level students.…”