Obstacles to university food pantry use and student-suggested solutions: A qualitative study

Abstract

Background In the absence of federal programs and policies to alleviate college student food insecurity, the number of food pantries has grown rapidly in the United States. Yet, no studies, to date, have qualitatively examined students’ experiences with this resource. Objective To explore college students’ perspectives on barriers to using an on-campus food pantry and provide insights into student-suggested solutions. Methods In this qualitative study, 41 college students were recruited from a large public university in the southeastern US with a campus food pantry. Students participated in one-on-one, in-person, semi-structured interviews. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, managed using NVivo 12, and analyzed using inductive, semantic thematic analysis. Results Most students were classified as food insecure (n = 33, 82.5%), and two-thirds identified as pantry users (at least once). The students’ reasons for not using the food pantry indicated resistance and access barriers. Students either ‘chose not to use’ the campus food pantry due to (i) stigma and shame, (ii) perceived insufficient need, (iii) and unsuitable food or they experienced ‘barriers’ due to (i) lack of knowledge and (ii) limited food access. The main reason reported by food insecure non-pantry users was feelings of stigma and shame while that of food insecure pantry users was limited food access. Students suggested three solutions to minimize barriers experienced when utilizing the campus food pantry. These included (i) spreading awareness about the pantry through positive marketing messages that de-stigmatize use, (ii) improving accessibility of fresh produce and protein options, and (iii) improving access through satellite locations and online ordering systems. Conclusion These barriers need to be systematically addressed to normalize food pantry use. Consideration of student recommendations by university program developers and policymakers may be of added value to expand access to food by college students with food insecurity.

A sentiment and keyword analysis of college food pantry stigma among users and non-users

“…Food pantry users also experience stigma because they think others deem them as lazy (10.61%) or weaker in a power hierarchy (12.12%) because they are unable to provide for themselves and instead rely on a resource. Similarly, users report that constant food pantry advertising as a place for lowincome or for the "needy" portrays users as victims and deters them from seeking help or resources (El Zein et al, 2022). To begin to break this stigma felt by food pantry users, resources that are offered need to be more normalized (El Zein et al, 2022;Fong et al, 2016).…”

Evaluating Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding CalFresh Participation in University Students

“…In the college student population, reasons regarding low program participation are unknown, however the authors hypothesize that knowledge about food assistance programs is low. Students are often newly independent and may have limited awareness of the many resources available to them including those provided through the university and social programs to improve housing and food access [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. Alongside the potential benefits of social support programs like CalFresh for students in California and the U.S., the utility of these social food benefits may serve as a model outside of North America, in general and college populations alike [ 28 , 36 ].…”

“…Although a growing body of literature continues to illustrate barriers to food security [ 33 , 35 ] and how food insecurity affects college students, a dearth of research shows how student knowledge and perceptions of food assistance resources like CalFresh may differ by food security status [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 34 ]. The purpose of current study was to identify students’ knowledge and attitudes about food access resources, particularly CalFresh, and assess whether knowledge and attitudes were associated with CalFresh participation.…”

Trade-Offs Faced by 2-and 4-Year College Students Experiencing Food Insecurity: An Analysis of Qualitative Data

“…[2][3][4] Qualitative research has also primarily sampled students from only 4-year institutions, focusing on topics like using campus food pantries and FI's effects on psychosocial health and academic success. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Students' lived experiences with FI include stigma and shame which may prevent them from seeking assistance. 12,16 Students experiencing FI reported prioritizing rent or living expenses over food and reducing food intake to cope with scarce resources.…”

“…[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Students' lived experiences with FI include stigma and shame which may prevent them from seeking assistance. 12,16 Students experiencing FI reported prioritizing rent or living expenses over food and reducing food intake to cope with scarce resources. 14 More research is needed to understand the trade-offs students face in making ends meet.…”