Campus Food Pantry Use Addresses a Gap Among California Public University Students

Abstract

ObjectiveTo identify factors associated with campus food pantry (CFP) visits and evaluate outreach strategies. DesignCross-sectional. SettingTen University of California campuses. ParticipantsUniversity of California CFP student users (n = 1,513) completed a survey in 2019. Variables measuredStudents reported reasons for CFP visits, how they heard about the CFP, monthly CFP visits, and food security status. Sociodemographic information was obtained through institutional records. AnalysisPoisson regression for associations of monthly CFP visits (dependent) with sociodemographic variables (Model 1), reasons for CFP visits (Model 2), and outreach strategies (Model 3). Logistic regression for associations between reasons for CFP visits and food security status (dependent; Model 4). ResultsOn average, students made 3.66 (SD, 4.75) CFP visits in the past month. Factors associated with more CFP visits included being first-generation to attend college, Filipino/Pacific Islanders, homeless, older, and male (Model 1). Not wanting to run out of food and hearing about the CFP through basic needs staff were associated with more CFP visits (Models 2 and 3). Students who visited the CFP because of financial insecurity had higher odds of food insecurity (Model 4). Conclusions and ImplicationsFindings suggest that CFPs provide critical emergency food assistance for students at risk of food insecurity.