Date of Award

Spring 2019

Project

Capstone - Open Access

Concentration

Health and Wellness Management

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

First Advisor

Eleanor Shonkoff

Abstract

Food security is a situation that exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life (Barrett, 2010). These foods also must meet dietary needs to help promote a healthy life (Barrett, 2010). Institutions such as Bunker Hill community college, California State University Long Beach, and multiple other colleges and Universities have taken steps to address food insecurity (FI) on campus. More information is required to determine how to address FI on campus. The purpose of the study is to contribute to describe approaches to addressing (FI) on college campuses and challenges administrators face in addressing those challenges. Participants were recruited from 2 and 4-year colleges. Participants were eligible if they were 18 years of age or older; enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program; and had experience addressing food insecurity in their professional role. Snowball sampling methods were used for recruitment. Thematic analysis was conducted, this study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at Merrimack College. Six common themes emerged as a result of the study:1) Current Methods of Addressing FI on Campus; 2)Prevalence Changes of FI on College Campuses and Factors that Influence Changes; 3)FI Prevalence: Assessment and Challenges; 4) FI Prevalence: Assessment and Challenges; 5) Challenges, Managing Challenges, and Reasons for Unsuccessful Plans for Addressing FI; and 6) Recommendations for Institutions Planning to Address FI. Administrators find that there is a rise in the number of students self-reporting, therefore there need to be an increase of accessible resources for those students. Administrators also understand the importance of research that should be done to determine if there is a need for additional programs to contribute to student success.

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