NourishED

By The Scholarship Collective ®

Food Resources for College Students

What is the purpose of NourishED?

At The Scholarship Collective ®, the purpose of NourishED is to raise awareness about the pressing issue of food insecurity among college students and promote resources in a comprehensive way to address this challenge. We strive to create a supportive community that recognizes and empathizes with the struggles faced by students who lack consistent access to nutritious meals. By offering a centralized platform of information, assistance, and connections, we aim to empower students to overcome food insecurity and thrive academically, physically, and emotionally. Our goal is to cultivate an environment where no student has to choose between their education and their next meal.

College Nourishment Network

The College Nourishment Network is a comprehensive resource hub dedicated to addressing food insecurity among college students, providing vital information, support, and connections to help students access nutritious meals and thrive academically.

Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Purpose: To promote the government program to fight food insecurity.

• What is The College SNAP Gap?

• SNAP Eligibility Requirements by State

• How SNAP Can Help College Students

Food Aid Programs and Resources

Purpose: To promote emergency and non-emergency food aid.

• Food Bank Locator

• Meal Voucher Programs

• Anti-Hunger Organizations by State

Food Insecurity Research

Purpose: To bring awareness to the realities of food insecurity among college students.

Prevalence and Correlates of Food Insecurity Among U.S. College Students: A Multi-Institutional Study - BMC Public Health

• Published: 2019-05-29

• Summary: This study reveals that 19% of surveyed first-year college students were food-insecure, with an additional 25.3% at risk. Factors such as being a racial minority, living off-campus, receiving Pell grants, and not participating in meal plans increased the likelihood of food insecurity. Affected students were more prone to poor sleep, high stress, disordered eating, and lower GPAs. Despite the availability of on-campus pantries, utilization among food-insecure students was low.

The Gravity of the Hunger Problem on College Campuses - The Atlantic

• Published: 2016-01-14

• Summary: A survey of 4,000 students at 10 community colleges found that over half of the respondents faced food insecurity. The study highlights the changing demographics in higher education and the significant impact hunger has on learning and college retention.

Navigating Hidden Hunger: An Exploratory Analysis of the Lived Experience of Food Insecurity Among College Students

• Published: 2022-10-10

• Summary: This exploratory analysis provides a qualitative insight into the experiences of food-insecure college students. It underscores the complexity of food insecurity in higher education and calls for a deeper understanding of students' lived experiences.

College Student Food Insecurity: How to Make Real Change - Center for Hunger Free Communities

• Published: 2021-12-21

• Summary: Studies indicate that 20 to 50 percent of U.S. college students experience food insecurity. Contributing factors include the high cost of education, increasing student debt, and inflated housing costs near campuses. Food insecurity leads to physical ailments, emotional trauma, and cognitive challenges that hinder learning.