‘Having Enough’: Students’ Understanding of Food Insecurity and Campus Food Pantry Use

ABSTRACT

This narrative inquiry study explored the experiences of three students facing food insecurity and their use of a campus food pantry at a rural four-year public higher education institution the United States. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews, journaling, and photo elictation. Developing budget priorities, strategic use of the food pantry, and having enough were themes shared by each participant. Implications for findings include creating a dialogue, maximizing resource utilization, and providing support groups.

KEYWORDS:

• Higher education
• campus food pantry
• food insecurity
• nutrition education
• narrative inquiry
• symbolic interactionism

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.