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Food Insecurity within a Public University and the Role of Food Assistance Programs Amid the Global Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Evansha Andre

    (Department of Sociology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA)

  • Yingru Li

    (Department of Sociology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA)

  • Dapeng Li

    (Department of Geography and the Environment, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA)

  • J. Scott Carter

    (Department of Sociology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA)

  • Amy Donley

    (Department of Sociology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA)

  • Boon Peng Ng

    (College of Nursing, Disability, Aging and Technology Cluster, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32826, USA)

Abstract

Food insecurity (FI) is a pressing concern among university students in the United States, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this issue. Providing food assistance for university students has become more challenging due to pandemic-related consequences and interventions. This study aims to (1) analyze social inequalities in FI among university students in a large public university during the pandemic, (2) investigate the association of their utilization of campus, community, and federal food assistance programs (FAPs) and FI, and (3) understand the barriers students face in accessing FAPs. Survey questionnaires were distributed to students to gather their socio-demographics, FI, and usage of FAPs. Logistic regression was utilized to assess the relationship between students’ FI and their use of FAPs. Among the surveyed students ( n = 282), 33.7% reported experiencing FI. Higher FI rates were observed among socially vulnerable student groups, for example, non-Hispanic Black (62.5%) and Hispanic students (38.7%), compared with non-Hispanic White students (32.1%). FAPs had a limited influence on students’ FI due to low utilization. The primary barriers to FAPs were insufficient information, ineligibility, and social stigma. The findings suggest it is crucial to reduce barriers to using FAPs and develop targeted interventions for marginalized students to address inequalities in FI.

Suggested Citation

  • Evansha Andre & Yingru Li & Dapeng Li & J. Scott Carter & Amy Donley & Boon Peng Ng, 2024. "Food Insecurity within a Public University and the Role of Food Assistance Programs Amid the Global Pandemic," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:13:y:2024:i:1:p:38-:d:1314653
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christopher M. Bacon & Gregory A. Baker, 2017. "The rise of food banks and the challenge of matching food assistance with potential need: towards a spatially specific, rapid assessment approach," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 34(4), pages 899-919, December.
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