Feasibility of Delivering an on-Campus Food Distribution Program in a Community College Setting: A Mixed Methods Sequential Explanatory Investigation.

Daphne C Hernandez,Sajeevika S Daundasekara,Chinyere Y Eigege,Quenette L Walton,Allison N Marshall

doi:10.3390/ijerph182212106

Abstract

Despite community college students experiencing food insecurity there has been a dearth of research conducted on the feasibility of providing a program designed to increase access to fruits and vegetables among community colleges. This study used a mixed methods sequential explanatory design to examine the feasibility of delivering an on-campus food distribution program (FDP) to community college students and to examine the association between FDP and food insecurity and dietary intake. The study also explored the student’s experiences related to barriers and facilitators of program utilization. In phase one, the FDP occurred for eight months and students could attend twice per month, receiving up to 60 pounds of food per visit. Online questionnaires were used to collect students’ food security and dietary intake. Among the 1000 students offered the FDP, 495 students enrolled, with 329 students (66.5%) attending ≥ 1. Average attendance = 3.27 (SD = 3.08) [Range = 1–16] distributions. The FDP did not reduce food insecurity nor improve dietary intake. In phase two, a subsample of students (n = 36) discussed their FDP experiences through focus groups revealing three barriers limiting program utilization: program design and organization, personal schedule and transportation, and program abuse by other attendees. Facilitators to greater program utilization included: the type of food distributed and welcoming environment, along with allowing another designated individual to collect food. To maximize program use, it is suggested that reported barriers be addressed, which might positively influence food insecurity and dietary intake.

Highlights

The open admission policy and geographic proximity to home, along with the low tuition compared to four-year institutions, make community colleges accessible and a more affordable entry point to higher education in the U.S Community colleges disproportionally enroll students from low-income backgrounds and who are first-generation, Hispanic or Black, and thirty years or older compared to four-year institutions [1]
The purpose of the current study was to assess the feasibility of delivering an oncampus food distribution program (FDP) using a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design [20] and a framework outlined by Orsmond and Cohn [21]
Guided by the feasibility framework outlined by Orsmond and Cohn [21], the current study assessed the feasibility of delivering an on-campus FDP using a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design [20]

Summary

Introduction

The open admission policy and geographic proximity to home, along with the low tuition compared to four-year institutions, make community colleges accessible and a more affordable entry point to higher education in the U.S Community colleges disproportionally enroll students from low-income backgrounds and who are first-generation, Hispanic or Black, and thirty years or older compared to four-year institutions [1] These same individuals are at higher risk of experiencing food insecurity [2], which is the lack of reliable access to healthy food due to insufficient money and/or other resources needed to access food [3]. Especially ones that emphasize fruits and vegetables, have been associated with academic achievement among

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