The Problem

Food for thought

Estimates suggest that between a quarter and two thirds of Australian university students experience some form of food insecurity - insufficient or unstable access to affordable, nutritious and culturally appropriate food. This proportion is much higher than that of the general population. Food insecure students might experience hunger on a daily basis or struggle to afford food periodically.

Research from around the world has connected food insecurity to poorer mental health outcomes and lowered academic performance, along with other negative social effects. Non-traditional and students from diverse backgrounds (ie. first in the family, non-English speaking background, mature aged) are more likely than their peers to experience food insecurity.

And yet, food insecurity often labelled as a ‘silent’ issue, shrouded in shame and stigma despite the significant impact on young peoples’ lives and wellbeing, and broader issues of educational equity and access.

The Research

In 2020 and 2021, we set out to explore students’ lived experiences of food insecurity. Along with 5 student co-researchers, trained in qualitative methods and with their own experience of food insecurity, we conducted 94 interviews with self-identified food insecure students attending 13 different higher education institutions across Victoria, Australia. Although many were international students, we had a diverse range of participants from those in completing their undergraduate degrees, graduates and PhD students.

The research focused on understanding students’ relationship to food, both at home, on campus and around their neighbourhoods. We asked students about how food insecurity affected their friendships, peer and personal relationships, and their studies. We also found out about the interconnectedness of students’ food struggles with other areas of their lives including housing, finances and paid work. Although the research was planned prior to the pandemic, we quickly found that COVID-19 was a significant contributor to many students’ food woes, especially international students. Students employed a range of resourceful and creative tactics to cope with their everyday struggle.

Finally, we made sure to ask students about how they thought we might begin to tackle the problem. These ideas formed the basis of our toolkit.