O36 College Students Cope to Achieve Food Security During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

<h3>Background</h3> Feeding America estimates an additional 13.2 million people experienced food insecurity in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. College students have higher risk given their transitionary life stage and lack of access to enablers of food security, including federal food assistance programs. This project investigates interpersonal and community-level factors of the social ecological model that affect food choices, self-efficacy, and coping mechanisms among food insecure college students during the pandemic. <h3>Objective</h3> Describe facilitators and barriers to food security among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. <h3>Study Design, Setting, Participants</h3> After IRB approval was obtained, participants (n = 18) were interviewed via a video-conferencing platform to investigate interpersonal coping mechanisms related to food security. Inclusion criteria encompassed current enrollment, participation in the on-campus food pantry, and age less than 30 years. Interviews focused on students' food acquisition and utilization, experiences with food insecurity before and during the pandemic, and feelings of stress. <h3>Measurable Outcomes/Analysis</h3> Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and themed using a 2-coder method. <h3>Results</h3> Students identified lack of knowledge about food assistance programs, confusion over food assistance qualification, and lack of transportation to food assistance sites as perceived barriers to improving food security during the pandemic. Primary coping mechanisms and facilitators to obtaining food were food pantry utilization, social support through food sharing, participation in the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and engagement with community support programs. <h3>Conclusion</h3> COVID-19 has further exacerbated college students' vulnerability to food insecurity. College students have limited access to SNAP and rely on interpersonal relationships and community resources to maintain food security. Findings describe unique coping strategies to access food and identify strategies to improve college student food security during the pandemic.