Food Insecurity

Am I Experiencing Food Insecurity?

If you answer "yes" to any of the questions below, you may be experiencing food insecurity. 

• Do I worry about having enough money for balanced meals?
• Do I worry about if my food will run out before I can afford to buy more?
• Do I ever skip meals or eat smaller quantities because there isn't enough money for food?
• Was I ever hungry but didn't eat because there wasn't enough money for food?

If you are experiencing food insecurity (or could experience food insecurity):

Request Assistance

What Is Food Insecurity?

Being a "starving college student" should not be a reality. According to Wisconsin's HOPE Lab, food insecurity is defined as "the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, or the ability to acquire such foods in a socially acceptable manner. The most extreme form is often accompanied with physiological sensations of hunger."

Across the nation, the HOPE Lab found that 36% of university students were food insecure in the 30 days prior to the survey. They also found that 16% of university students experiences both food and housing insecurity. Their report states:

"The data show that basic needs insecurities disproportionately affect marginalized students and are associated with long work hours and higher risk of unemployment. However, the level of academic effort – in and outside the classroom—is the same regardless of whether or not students are dealing with food and housing insecurity. It is therefore critically important to match their commitments with supports to ensure degree completion."

Click here to visit the Wisconsin HOPE Lab's "Still Hungry and Homeless" report.