Enhancing Food Utilization and Satisfaction Through Hot Meals: An Action Research Study on Community Food-Pantry Events for University Students in Tokyo

Food insecurity is a considerable challenge for university students globally. While food pantries are a primary response, their impact on psychological well-being remains unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate effects of providing hot meals during community food-pantry events on participant satisfaction and self-reported loneliness among financially challenged university students in Tokyo. A non-randomized pre-post design was used to compare events with (n = 87) and without (n = 41) a hot meal. Participant satisfaction was assessed using a questionnaire; loneliness was measured using the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale. Hot-meal events had a 100% satisfaction rate. Notably, satisfaction with the café space was significantly higher in hot-meal events than in non-meal events (p = 0.003). However, analysis of covariance indicated that the adjusted mean difference in post-event loneliness scores was not statistically significant. Hot meals enhanced participant satisfaction and the perception of the venue, suggesting it is a key component of the food-utilization dimension of food security. Although a significant reduction in loneliness was not observed, the high appreciation of the dining environment suggests that future programs should integrate hot meals with strategies to maximize social interaction, aiming for a more holistic impact on student well-being.