Living on Ramen: Food Insecurity Among College Students and the Lion's Pantry at Penn State University Park
Open Access
- Author:
- Carey, Lydia
- Area of Honors:
- Community, Environment, and Development
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Theodore Roberts Alter, Thesis Supervisor
Theodore Roberts Alter, Thesis Honors Advisor
Justine F Lindemann, Faculty Reader - Keywords:
- food insecurity
survey
invisible community
lion's pantry
food security - Abstract:
- Despite popular rhetoric about college students being broke and eating ramen noodles for dinner every night, food insecure college students remain an invisible community. Because of the high costs of college, assumptions about the financial status of students are made that make food insecurity seem improbable, yet on a national level food insecurity among college students occurs at a higher rate than the general population. The increasing high cost of college and increasing rates of student loan debt point to possible reasons food insecurity is becoming more prevalent. As higher education institutions act as caring agencies which provide housing and meal plans for students, it is critical that they invest resources into understanding and addressing the issue of food insecurity on campus. The focus of this thesis is on the Lion’s Pantry food bank for food insecure students at Penn State University Park. A survey was conducted in order to better understand who utilizes the pantry’s services, as well as their motivations and perceptions about the services. Based on survey findings, academic literature, informational meetings, and other evidence which helped build context, a case description for the Lion’s Pantry was written. Several major challenges for students in accessing and affording food were found, and the circumstances of the food system at Penn State is explored. College students experience food insecurity differently than households and families because of the unique circumstances of their situation as students. This unique experience leads to several challenges conceptualizing, measuring, and researching food insecurity, as well as trouble reaching students who may need help. It is part of the reason why this community remains invisible, leading to stigma and silence around the issue. This work concludes with a discussion of possible recommendations which aim to help the Lion’s Pantry and the university to better serve students facing food insecurity. Penn State University Park acts a case study which might yield useful information for other college food assistance programs and resources.