Food insecurity. You might have heard the term before but may not know exactly what it means. According to the USDA, food insecurity- not to be mistaken as ‘hunger’- is defined as “a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food.”
And if that wasn’t complicated enough to understand, here is our definition:
Not having sufficient or reliable access to affordable or nutritious food.
People with food insecurities often don’t have enough to eat and don’t know where their next meal may come from or even how they can afford it. The USDA states that about 13% of U.S. households are food insecure.
So now that we know a little bit more about food insecurity, what exactly does that look like on college campuses? And how might we identify if we or someone we care about might be food insecure?
Food Insecurity On College Campuses
Being food insecure on a college campus may look like a few things:
- Skipping daily meals
- Sharing/splitting meals
- Going days without eating
It can also look like a game of “Would you rather…”
- Have somewhere to sleep or something to eat?
- Get gas or go out for a meal?
- Buy your textbook or buy groceries?
So, how might we identify if we or someone else experiences food insecurity in school? Try answering a few of these questions:
- Are you frequently stressed or anxious about your food situation?
- Do you often catch yourself skipping meals to save money?
- Do you feel like you lack the necessary nutrients and rely on lower-cost food options?
- Have you ever sacrificed meals to pay for something else?
- Do you worry about having enough food?
If you answered yes to most of these questions, you might be experiencing food insecurity. But don’t worry—we wouldn’t tell you these things without offering tips and resources we think could help you.
School Resources
There should be resources on every college campus that help students in need of food supplies. Here are a few:
Campus Food Pantry
Many- if not all–campuses host food pantries for students. To find out where yours is located, contact your campus’s health and wellness department. Food pantries are free and open to all students on campus!
Check your local city resources as well. Food pantries and kitchens should also be available in every city to help surrounding residents.
SNAP Benefits
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP benefits, provide funding for lower-income citizens to buy food. They typically give out a monthly stipend to help you pay for groceries. This is a national assistance program, but it is also available for students! Check the SNAP site here for more information on how to qualify based on your state of residence.
Swipe Out Hunger Program
Swipe Out Hunger is a nonprofit organization that helps fight food insecurity on college campuses. It partners with universities and creates programs where students can donate unused meal plan swipes from their campus dining plans. Swipe Out Hunger also helps colleges establish or enhance on-campus food pantries.
Bonus Tip!
Always keep a few snacks and water in your bag. Small things to snack on will help fuel your body throughout the day. Grapes, granola bars, crackers, whatever you can get your hands on! And always make sure you have water to keep yourself hydrated.
If you want to learn about more resources your university might have to help you navigate your collegiate experience, be sure to check out our Back to School: Campus Safety Checklist blog post!
Remember, you are not alone!
Food Insecurity is not talked about enough amongst students on college campuses despite thousands of students experiencing it every day. But now, you have the knowledge and the resources to combat this unfortunate but common livelihood. Remember, if you are someone who experiences food insecurity, you are not alone, and you don’t have to fight this by yourself. Many resources, people, and organizations want to help you!
For more resources on how you can fight food insecurity, visit the USDA, CDC, or Feeding America for more information.
