Main Objectives: 

• Gauge students' needs and perceptions of campus food systems

• Address disparities in food access between on and off-campus students

• Promote resources & increase awareness of healthy, accessible meals to those struggling w/ food insecurity,

• Promote the mitigation of food waste and improve/advocate for a circular approach to food consumption & waste 

Literature Review

• Food insecurity is the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or the limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.  (USDA, 2022)​

• While the average rate of food insecurity is 13.7 percent (USDA, 2024). 55% of students surveyed on the 2020 SDSU Basic Needs survey indicated they experienced at least one form of food insecurity in the last 6 months. (San Diego State University. (2020). ​

• The U.S Government Accountability Office found that about 59% of food-insecure students who were potentially eligible for SNAP didn't report receiving benefits, and fewer than two in five food-insecure students met the criteria to be potentially eligible for SNAP (GAO 2024).

Methodology

We conducted a survey to gauge levels of food security amongst students, identify areas for improvement, identify key challenges in accessing food, and assess students' awareness and perceptions of campus resources.

• Surveys were conducted using Google Forms and reached 43 participants​

• Surveys were composed of 17 required questions and 1 optional, open-ended question.​

• Surveys were conducted in English and Spanish ​

• Surveys were spread by email, canvas posts, word of mouth, flyers, and social media ​