FFF was founded in AY22-23 by the inaugural Student Library Advocacy Board (SLAB) and was intended to address the reality that hunger is a barrier to academic success. We are happy to announce that the Library, with funding and support from ASUWT,  will be continuing our FFF program during the Fall 2024 final examination period.

Research about food insecurity among college students can vary (and have gaps) depending on the institutional type, definition of what it means to be food insecure, and other demographic data of students. Nationally, around 23% of college students experience food insecurity; however, approximately 48% of UWT students experience food insecurity according to data collected from ASUWT’s own student health and food equity 2023-2024 survey (ASUWT, 2024). One study found that food insecurity increased the odds of students having a lower GPA (Weaver et al. 2020). While food insecurity is likely not the only factor that can help determine whether or not a student will be successful, there are additional compounding issues associated with food insecurity such as nutritional deficiencies, behavioral, and psycho-social issues that can make it such an impactful factor (Patton-Lopez et al., 2014; Maroto et al., 2015; Bruening et al. 2016; Morris et al., 2016; Goldrick-Rab et al., 2019). These impacts are acutely felt by students from historically underrepresented groups (Goldrick-Rab et al., 2019; Weaver et al., 2020; Mechler et al., 2024).

The Library, in conjunction with ASUWT, is committed to supporting all UWT students whether or not they are food insecure, and lending a hand in mitigating the negative impacts of food insecurity on our campus.

References

ASUWT. (2024). Food Equity & Basic Needs Task Force Strategic Plan. ASUWT. https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/sites/default/files/2024-09/febnt-strategic-plan-proposal-2.pdf

Bruening, M., Brennhofer, S., van Woerden, I., Todd, M., & Laska, M. (2016). Factors Related to the High Rates of Food Insecurity among Diverse, Urban College Freshmen. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 116(9), 1450–1457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2016.04.004

Goldrick-Rab, S., Baker-Smith, C., Coca, V., Looker, E., & Williams, T. (2019). College and University Basic Needs Insecurity: A National #RealCollege Survey Report. https://www.insidehighered.com/sites/default/files/media/HOPE_realcollege_National_report_EMBARGOED%20UNTIL%20APRIL%2030%203%20AM%20EST%20(1).pdf

Maroto, M. E., Snelling, A., & Linck, H. (2015). Food Insecurity Among Community College Students: Prevalence and Association With Grade Point Average. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 39(6), 515–526. https://doi.org/10.1080/10668926.2013.850758

Melcher, H., Coakley, K., Walsh-Dilley, M., & Cargas, S. (2024). Examining the Relationship Between Food Insecurity and Academic Performance: Implications for Diversity and Equity in Higher Education. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 26(1), 3–18. https://doi.org/10.1177/15210251211053863

Morris, L. M., Smith, S., Davis, J., & Null, D. B. (2016). The Prevalence of Food Security and Insecurity Among Illinois University Students. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 48(6), 376-382.e1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2016.03.013

Patton-López, M. M., López-Cevallos, D. F., Cancel-Tirado, D. I., & Vazquez, L. (2014). Prevalence and Correlates of Food Insecurity Among Students Attending a Midsize Rural University in Oregon. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 46(3), 209–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2013.10.007

Weaver, Robert R., Vaughn, Nicole A., Hendricks, Sean P., McPherson-Myers, Penny E., Jia, Qian, Willis, Shari L., & Rescigno, Kevin P. (2020). University student food insecurity and academic performance. Journal of American College Health, 68(7), 727–733. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2019.1600522