P083 Student Voices at the Table: Proposed Solutions to College Food Insecurity From College Students Who Are Currently Experiencing It

Abstract

<h3>Background</h3> College students are a vulnerable population to food insecurity (FI), which has significant implications for academic and health outcomes. Few qualitative studies have reported solutions to address hunger on campuses proposed by college students experiencing FI to inform the design of policy, education, and nutrition interventions. <h3>Objective</h3> To explore ideal food situations and solutions to address FI proposed by college students experiencing food insecurity. <h3>Study Design, Setting, Participants</h3> Semi-structured, qualitative interviews were conducted with college students attending a large, land grant university in the Southeast United States to identify student perceived solutions to FI in relation to food access and resource utilization. Thirty students who screened as food insecure according to the USDA 6-item Household Food Security Screener Module were recruited. Interviews were conducted virtually via Zoom in the fall semester of 2020 and spring semester of 2021. <h3>Measurable Outcome/Analysis</h3> Interviews were transcribed verbatim and uploaded into NVivo Version 1.6.1 for analysis. Data was inductively coded by two independent coders with an inter-rater reliability (IRR) score of 0.92. Grounded theory methodology was utilized with a constant comparative methodology to guide thematic analysis and analyst triangulation. <h3>Results</h3> Several themes related to proposed solutions emerged, informed by student experiences with current FI interventions: provision of a food scholarship or grocery stipend; education encompassing nutrition, cooking, and budgeting; financial assistance for student housing and other basic needs; centralization and awareness of preexisting resources; and increased access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Students' own definitions of FI in relation to their experience in higher education were also explored as testimonials. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Centering student voices illuminates proposed solutions to effectively mitigate FI and how campus resources can be improved in relation to student needs. Findings are formative for the implementation of students' proposed FI interventions and subsequent testing is needed. Further investigation of the efficacy of current interventions can guide the development of an evidence-base for program development and institutional frameworks. <h3>Funding</h3> None