Navigating Hunger and Academic Success: College Students’ Experiences with Food Insecurity and Campus Food Pantries

Food insecurity is a growing issue faced by many college students, and there is an increasing call for more qualitative research examining food insecurity on college campuses. It may be posited that students who experience food insecurity but have access to resources are more likely to succeed academically than those without access to such resources. This research examined how the resources provided to college students experiencing food insecurity influenced their academic success at a university in the United States. This study explored the experience of four students who identified as food insecure and utilized campus resources to address this issue. Through a thematic analysis of the qualitative data, the findings suggest that students who accessed these resources believed their academic success had improved as a result. Overall, the results indicate that resources for addressing food insecurity are important for student academic success.