The Lived Experience of Postsecondary Students With an On-Campus Food Pantry

• In Event: Reimagining Higher Education During a Global Pandemic

Abstract

In an attempt to take action against students’ food insecurity, several higher education institutions have incorporated campus food pantries as part of their intervention plan. This paper explores the experiences of a group of postsecondary students who have utilized a university-provided food pantry at a public research university in the Midwestern U.S. Fifteen graduate and undergraduate students were interviewed. The thematic analysis of the interview data revealed that limited food access motivated the students to consider utilizing the food pantry, and that the social support they received compelled them to sign up for this resource. The students' experiences with the food pantry emphasized the welcoming culture of the pantry, though some inadequate aspects were noted.

Authors

• Elmira Jangjou, University of Iowa

• Sara Nasrollahian Mojarad, University of Iowa