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Investigating the Feasibility of a Restaurant Delivery Service to Improve Food Security among College Students Experiencing Marginal Food Security, a Head-to-Head Trial with Grocery Store Gift Cards

Author

Listed:
  • Ryan J. Gamba

    (Department of Public Health, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA 94542, USA)

  • Lana Mariko Wood

    (University Libraries, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA 94542, USA)

  • Adianez Ampil

    (Pioneers for H.O.P.E., California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA 94542, USA)

  • Alina Engelman

    (Department of Public Health, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA 94542, USA)

  • Juleen Lam

    (Department of Public Health, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA 94542, USA)

  • Michael T. Schmeltz

    (Department of Public Health, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA 94542, USA)

  • Maria M. Pritchard

    (Department of Public Health, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA 94542, USA)

  • Joshua Kier Adrian Santillan

    (Department of Public Health, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA 94542, USA)

  • Esteban S. Rivera

    (Department of Public Health, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA 94542, USA)

  • Nancy Ortiz

    (Department of Public Health, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA 94542, USA)

  • Darice Ingram

    (Pioneers for H.O.P.E., California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA 94542, USA)

  • Kate Cheyne

    (Department of Research, Alameda County Community Food Bank, Oakland, CA 94621, USA)

  • Sarah Taylor

    (Department of Social Work, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA 94542, USA)

Abstract

Restaurant delivery services have gained in popularity among college students; however, students participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are not allowed to redeem their benefits via restaurant delivery services. This mixed-methods head-to-head crossover trial assessed whether college students experiencing marginal food security prefer benefits via a grocery store gift card (as a proxy for traditional SNAP benefits) or via a restaurant delivery service gift card of equivalent value, and which type of benefit is more effective at improving food security status. Thirty college students experiencing marginal food security were recruited to receive $80 in cash equivalent benefits to spend over a two-month period in the form of grocery store gift cards and restaurant delivery service gift cards. Participants completed surveys and interviews to measure their food security status and share their experiences with each benefit type. After four months of benefits, 48.3% of participants improved their food security status. However, neither type of benefit was statistically better at improving food security status. Most participants preferred grocery store benefits (89.7%) over restaurant delivery service benefits (10.3%). However, more research is needed to explore whether allowing SNAP recipients to redeem their benefits with restaurant delivery services is a viable mechanism to address food challenges among college students experiencing marginal food security.

Suggested Citation

  • Ryan J. Gamba & Lana Mariko Wood & Adianez Ampil & Alina Engelman & Juleen Lam & Michael T. Schmeltz & Maria M. Pritchard & Joshua Kier Adrian Santillan & Esteban S. Rivera & Nancy Ortiz & Darice Ingr, 2021. "Investigating the Feasibility of a Restaurant Delivery Service to Improve Food Security among College Students Experiencing Marginal Food Security, a Head-to-Head Trial with Grocery Store Gift Cards," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:18:p:9680-:d:635418
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ellison, Brenna & Bruening, Meg & Hruschka, Daniel J. & Nikolaus, Cassandra J. & van Woerden, Irene & Rabbitt, Matthew P. & Nickols-Richardson, Sharon M., 2021. "Viewpoint: Food insecurity among college students: A case for consistent and comparable measurement," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    2. Pauline Marsh & Suzanne Mallick & Emily Flies & Penelope Jones & Sue Pearson & Iain Koolhof & Jason Byrne & Dave Kendal, 2020. "Trust, Connection and Equity: Can Understanding Context Help to Establish Successful Campus Community Gardens?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-25, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Prince Yeboah & Dennis Bomansang Daliri & Ahmad Yaman Abdin & Emmanuel Appiah-Brempong & Werner Pitsch & Anto Berko Panyin & Emmanuel Bentil Asare Adusei & Afraa Razouk & Muhammad Jawad Nasim & Claus , 2021. "Knowledge into the Practice against COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study from Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-13, December.

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