Universities have long been seen as the best way to build a better life. But for many students, this journey comes with a painful choice: pay for school or afford enough nutritious food. This situation leads to food insecurity, where students struggle to access safe and healthy meals.
Today, about 90% of universities in the U.S. have set up food pantries or support hubs, helping thousands of students each semester. What started as a grassroots effort is becoming a key part of how schools define student well-being. A survey from the Hope Center for Student Basic Needs at Temple University found that 59% of students at 91 institutions across 16 states face basic needs insecurity. Notably, 41% struggle with food insecurity.
Many of these pantries are evolving into comprehensive support centers, linking students to food resources, financial aid, childcare, and mental health services. For example, the Lancer Care Center at Pasadena City College, originally a simple pantry, now offers a variety of essential services to students.
However, challenges remain. A 2023 survey from Swipe Out Hunger revealed that many pantries are under-resourced. Over 20% of food pantries struggle to secure consistent funding, staff, and inventory. Despite these hurdles, food pantries create a crucial sense of trust. Laura Egan from the Clery Center emphasizes that a reliable food source can lead to greater trust in other campus services.
Getting food should be easy and stigma-free. Yet, many students remain unaware they qualify for assistance. Izzy Morgan at New York University’s College Student Pantry highlights how even those from privileged backgrounds can face food insecurity without realizing it. This illustrates a growing trend: many college students normalize hunger as part of the college experience. Daniela Bermudez, a volunteer at the pantry, points out that many students feel they should struggle.
Awareness of food insecurity often develops slowly. Students may not connect their inability to access healthy foods with hunger. For many, success in college depends on something basic: the ability to eat regularly.
As universities promote themselves as pathways out of poverty, they must confront the reality of hunger on campus. Can institutions genuinely offer opportunities while students grapple with the choice between a meal and their education?
Insights to Consider:
Why do students struggle to pay for food? Rising tuition costs and living expenses often force students to choose between necessities.
What are universities doing for food access? Many are expanding support services to include food pantries, resources, and educational programs.
Should food be a basic right? Many argue that access to nutritious food is essential for educational success and overall well-being.
This food crisis may not only affect students today; it shapes the future workforce. Addressing food insecurity on campuses isn’t just about feeding students; it’s about enabling them to thrive and succeed in their educational journeys.
