Data-Driven Insights to Address Food Insecurity Among College Students
Principal Investigator: Gabby Headrick, PhD, MSPH, RDN
Co-Investigator: Jennifer Sacheck, PhD
Other members of the research team: Andrew Sonn, Ed.D
Description:
According to a recent National College Health Assessment survey, nearly half of college students experience some level of food insecurity. Food insecurity is defined as a lack of consistent access to enough nutritious food for an active, healthy life. Students experiencing food insecurity are more likely to underperform in the classroom, report poorer physical and mental health, and often choose cheaper but less nutritious food options. Addressing food insecurity among college students is crucial for their well-being and academic success.
This GFI-funded project team is partnering with the George Washington University (GW) Division for Student Affairs to examine the episodic and persistent nature of food insecurity among GW students. Their research explores food resource management, coping strategies, and the effectiveness of support systems like The Store, GW’s student-run food pantry.
GW’s Nurturing Opportunity and Understanding Resources to Improve Student Hunger (NOURISH) study found that more than one‑third of students experienced food insecurity during Fall 2024 and that those facing food insecurity reported significantly poorer physical health, high stress, and limited use of available campus food resources. The report concludes that stronger outreach, better‑coordinated support, and evidence‑based interventions are needed to meet students’ unmet food needs.
By generating data-driven insights, this study will inform stronger support structures for struggling students at GW and other universities in the greater Washington, D.C. region.
Read a manuscript on this research. The study finds that college meal plans alone do not prevent food insecurity; students still struggle with limited food choice, time constraints, financial barriers, and inadequate institutional support. It concludes that universities must address not just access, but also flexibility, nutrition quality, scheduling, and awareness of assistance programs to truly improve student food security.