Social Stigma, Logistics, and Reserving Resources for Others: Understanding Barriers to Campus Pantry Use

Food insecurity is prevalent among college students nationwide, but barriers preclude students from accessing campus food pantries (CFP). A multimethod approach was used to understand why students at a large, public research university who screened positive for food insecurity did not use the CFP. Survey (n = 82) and interview (n = 8) data revealed substantial barriers to CFP use including logistical challenges, social stigma, the belief that other students are in greater need of resources, and the view that food insecurity is a personal, private problem. Institutions can address these concerns by engaging all members of the campus community in campus anti-hunger efforts.