Food Insecurity Among College Students

Many people relate Ramen Noodles to a college student’s diet. Ramen Noodles are affordable, filling and only need a microwave. The convenience of Ramen Noodles unfortunately also brings up the bigger issue of food insecurity and hunger among college students. Nearly 40% of college students have experienced food insecurity while obtaining their degree.

There are many aspects that make college students more vulnerable to the threat of food insecurity and hunger. The most obvious factor is the idea of a “broke college student”. Many college students find themselves on a tight budget due to high tuition rates, student loans, books and high housing costs. Some college students find themselves balancing more than an average college student. Although many people think of dorm style living when they initially think of a college student, there is actually an abundance of college students who don’t live on campus and are faced with the everyday commute. College students are faced with many different stresses and challenges but adding a commute, full time job and in some cases a family to support, the basic needs of food are sometimes put on the back burner. Food insecurity among college students is not a recent issue.

Paige Zuelke was a college student during the years of 1986 to 1990 at the University of Oshkosh Wisconsin. Unfortunately like many other college students Paige Zuelke faced issues with food insecurity. Due to the high cost of living on campus Paige Zuelke was forced to find housing off campus. Paige Zuelke shared a small house with her sister and friend. Paige Zuelke did not have a car and was left to walk most places. Transportation was an issue in the severe Wisconsin winters. Paige Zuelke was able to walk to work and classes but found it much harder to get to the nearby grocery store. Zuelke goes into detail about the foods she lived off, “I usually tried to have a box of mac and cheese on hand. I could easily keep it in the pantry, and it was only 25 cents for a box”, (Zuelke). Many college students find themselves in the same position that Paige Zuelke was in, surviving off of pasta and rice products that have a long shelf life. Although these types of foods are convenient and are a better alternative to nothing at all; the body requires more than just carbohydrates. College students often lack nutrients that are found in fruits and vegetables. Lack of essential nutrients can result in a weakened immune system. Paige Zuelke fell ill after being exposed to a staph infection at work. Paige Zuelke goes into detail about her experience “I was working in a hotel while attending college. My job included striping beds, collecting towels and cleaning bathrooms. I came down with a really bad cold then I started getting cysts”, (Zuelke). After Paige Zuelke fell ill, she was unsure of what to do because her condition was continuing to worsen. “I found a ride to the doctors and I was then diagnosed with a severe staph infection. The doctors said that I was most likely exposed at work and my immune defense was not strong enough to fight off the staph infection”, (Zuelke). College students encounter many challenges adding illness into the mix can often be too much to handle. It is vital that college students have access to essential items like nutritious foods to be successful.

There are different aspects that could result in a specific college campus being more or less food insecure. Alyssa Zuelke attended Truman State University from 2015 to 2019. Truman State University is located in Kirksville, a rural Northern Missouri town. Rural areas are often at higher risk for having food insecurity issues. While attending Truman State University Alyssa Zuelke found herself struggling to get food other than cafeteria food on campus. Alyssa Zuelke goes into further detail “I had a lot of classes that had labs attached to them so my class periods were extremely long, by the time I made it to the cafeteria it would sometimes be closed”, (Zuelke). Many college students find themselves trying to balance a busy schedule and regular meal times, they do not always fit in the mix. Off campus food options are often hard to obtain. “My freshman year I didn’t have a car, so I was limited to what was within walking distance, (Zuelke). Living on campus has many conveniences but also has some challenges. “While living on campus my dorm did not have a kitchen, so I was limited to a mini fridge and a microwave”, (Zuelke). After graduating from Truman State University in 2019, Alyssa Zuelke went on to further her education at Creighton University. While at Creighton University Alyssa Zuelke had the opportunity for an entirely different college experience given that Creighton University is located downtown Omaha Nebraska. “In regard to food I feel that Creighton would be considered more food secure”, (Zuelke). Metropolitan areas have more options regarding transportation and options within walking distance. “The campus of Creighton had more food options, so food was more widely available. There was also a food pantry on campus”, (Zuelke). Food pantries have been shown to be very successful in regard to eliminating food insecurity among college students.

Missouri Western State University started a campus food pantry called the Campus Cupboard back in 2015. Since 2015, the Campus Cupboard has become extremely popular among students. Brittani Evans, a student at Missouri Western State University is very supportive of the Campus Cupboard. “I think that is very beneficial for students who may not be working or for students who are on a budget”, (Evans). The Campus Cupboard strives to be easily accessible to students Christina Curtin is in charge of the Campus Cupboard. The Campus Cupboard is open Monday through Friday in addition to that appointments can be made. “My goal is to make sure that any student who needs food has the chance to receive it”, (Curtin). The Campus Cupboard is heavily utilized by students Christina Curtin states “there is absolutely zero food waste. Every item in the food pantry is used”, (Curtin). Due to the fact that the Campus Cupboard is heavily utilized, the Campus Cupboard has a greater demand for donations. In order for the Campus Cupboard to continue to provide resources to students it is vital that there is a steady flow of donations.

https://www.pinterest.com/katrinaz1203/ending-hunger-in-college/