Publication Date
2023
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
First Advisor
Prange, Nancy
Degree Name
M.S. (Master of Science)
Legacy Department
School of Health Studies
Abstract
Food pantries are the most common form of food assistance provided on college campuses. However, there are several barriers that prevent college students from utilizing pantry resources, leading to low campus food pantry utilization and awareness. Barriers, poor pantry utilization, and awareness have been well documented. However, there is little information currently available regarding factors that facilitate college students’ acceptance of food assistance, and the food distribution modalities that food insecure college students prefer. The purpose of this study was to determine these factors and preferences so they may be used to improve food assistance programs on college campuses.To investigate the preferred food distribution modalities and factors that facilitate college students’ acceptance of food assistance, a cross-sectional online survey study design was utilized. To create the survey, questions about demographics, food distribution modalities, and awareness of the campus food pantry was combined with the USDA’s U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module: Six-Item Short Form. The short form was utilized as a validated measure of food insecurity status. The target population of this study included undergraduate students from Northern Illinois University (NIU). This survey was administered in the spring 2023 semester using emails from the NIU Clearinghouse. Data collection lasted for a total of four weeks. Descriptive statistics and chi square analyses were used to analyze the data. Of the students sampled, 82.3% were aware of NIU’s campus food pantry, but only 14.8% reported utilizing the pantry. Among very low and low food insecure students, 24.2% and 20.5% reported using the NIU food pantry, respectively. Also, among very low and low food insecure students, 19.1% and 28.2% reported being unaware of the NIU food pantry, respectively. Additionally, students reported that food pantries (68.4%), hallway distribution sites (51.9%), meal swipe donation programs (40.3%), and dining hall food recovery programs (40%) were the most preferred food distribution modalities. Furthermore, the survey participants reported that NIU students would be more likely to accept food assistance if food assistance was provided in a convenient location (93.7%), and if fresh fruits and vegetables were made available (85.4%). Due to the amount of food insecure students that reported unawareness of the NIU food pantry, these results suggest that the pantry’s advertising efforts could be improved. Additionally, the results of this study suggest that NIU should expand its existing food pantry and food recovery programs. Furthermore, NIU should consider implementing new hallway food distribution sites as well as a meal swipe donation program per the results of this study. Lastly, the results suggest that NIU should prioritize offering food assistance programs in convenient locations and providing fresh fruits and vegetables as part of these programs.
Recommended Citation
Martin, Amy Caroline, "Food Security, Factors Influencing Food Acceptance, and Preferred Food Assistance Delivery Modalities: A Survey of Students Attending a Medium Sized, Primarily Residential Emerging Research institution" (2023). Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations. 7836.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/allgraduate-thesesdissertations/7836
Extent
103 pages
Language
en
Publisher
Northern Illinois University
Rights Statement
In Copyright
Rights Statement 2
NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.
Media Type
Text
