Tennessee college students grapple with food insecurity

A large percentage of students across university campuses in Tennessee are asking the same question: Where will my next meal come from?

And the figures are staggering.

According to a report from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, an estimated 30% of Tennessee college students experience food insecurity at some point in their college careers.

That figure — one that’s above the national average — did not sit well with Tennessee state Rep. Michael Hale.

“With an issue as stigmatized as food insecurity, we made it a priority to take steps to address the issue,” he says.

Hale this year sponsored House Bill 1914 to address food insecurity. The bill would establish the hunger-free campus grant program which, in part, provides grants to higher education institutions to address student hunger. It charges institutions receiving a hunger-free campus grant to study and submit a report to the education committee of the Tennessee State Senate and the education administration committee of the House of Representatives. 

“Right now, the biggest thing that’s standing in the way of feeding our students is funding, so we want to remove that hurdle,” Hale says. “Additionally, any campus that partakes in the grant program can earn the designation of a ‘hunger-free campus’ which can be used to show potential applicants that their basic needs will be a focus of the universities and colleges. This legislation is an incredible first step in addressing this issue, but it is by no means an end-all fix.”

The bill currently applies to food insecurities at public institutions only, but, says Hale, this is a pilot program and if significant interest from private colleges is shown, the topic of food insecurity could be revisited in the next year or two.

Hunger vs. food insecurity

It’s important to note the difference between hunger and food insecurity, says Dr. Marsha Spence, coordinator of Community and Public Health Nutrition Graduate Programs at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

“They are two different things,” she says. 

Skipping meals, eating less nutritious foods and worrying about where the money will come from to buy food are associated with food insecurity. Hunger is a physical discomfort occurring when someone has not consumed enough food. Chronic hunger increases the risk of malnutrition. 

“Food insecurity increases the risk of poorer grades, not being able to concentrate, and dropping out of school or slower time to graduate, among other things,” Spence says.

That’s where food banks in colleges and universities are helpful, such as Scrappy’s Cupboard at UT Chattanooga, the Big Orange Pantry at UT Knoxville, Captain’s Pantry at UT Martin and the Student Food Bank at UT Southern in Pulaski. The pantries are filled with foods, both nonperishables and perishables kept in industrial refrigerators, and personal items/ toiletries. 

Some food and supplies are donated while other items are purchased using monetary donations and grants. Doors are open to students who cannot afford a meal plan or can afford only the basic plans, such as UTK’s VOL Block ‘75 plan that offers 75 meals and $150 Dining Dollars per semester. At UTC, the basic plan is $425 and features $425 MOCS Bucks per semester for on-campus dining.

“That’s too much for some students, and they find themselves in a hole, and now more and more students are ending up in that hole,” says Brett Fuchs, associate dean of students at UTC.

A portion of HB1914 is targeted at improving food pantries on college campuses, such as Scrappy’s Cupboard which is now drawing up plans for expansion to double its space.

A juggling act

Is it the economy, tighter budgets and inflation that are leading to higher numbers of students needing help with food and basic necessities?

“Some students have to choose … Do they want to work and go to school or do they want to eat?” Fuchs asks.

For some students, finding jobs to fit their class schedules is difficult, Fuchs explains.

“Certainly, there are jobs out there, and some can do them,” he says. “If they’re in a field like, let’s say, nursing, where they’re going to class and have practicums or internships, their hours are limited, making it hard to find a job that matches their schedules. Or, maybe a student works in retail. It’s harder for them to find a job that will work for them.”

UTC senior Charmayra Teasley, president of the university’s Student Government Association, sees students facing food insecurity as a major problem on college campuses.

“It is a really important topic of conversation right now, especially for college students as they juggle classes, social life and trying to lead a healthy lifestyle,” she says. “Not being able to access sufficient food can lead to more concerns for student mental health and overall physical well-being.” 

Those most at-risk for food insecurities, according to the THEC report, are low-income students and Pell-eligible students. But, Spence says, things are as bad — or worse — for graduate students.

“Many studies have found that graduate students may be at higher risk of food insecurity because of lower stipends available for grad students,” she says.

To address the problem, stipends for graduate students at.UTK were raised this year and will be raised again next year to a living wage, Spence says.

“We are hopeful that this will help reduce food insecurity, especially with other campus resources available, like the Big Orange Pantry and food4VOLS,” she adds.