Food Insecurity amongst Urban College Students

Food insecurity is a growing concern among college students. This narrative inquiry provides a greater understanding of food insecurity's impact on the college-going experience for urban students. Interviews were conducted with five college students who attend a large public urban university in the mid-Atlantic and use the on-campus food pantry. From the narrative inquiry, six themes emerged. They are peer relationships, government assistance, cost of living, access to healthy food, institutional help, and navigating college. As a result of the study, there are several actionable steps that institutions should take. Those steps include increased advertisement, adding toiletries and similar products, and funding positions that work directly with students facing issues like food insecurity.