Campus Food Pantry Use May Improve Daily Frequency of Fruit and Vegetable Intake Among California University Students Experiencing Food Insecurity

Abstract

Background: University students are at increased risk for both food insecurity and suboptimal fruit and vegetable (F/V) intake. Campus food pantries (CFP) have been a common intervention in response to student food insecurity, but there have been few evaluations of the effectiveness of this strategy on improving students' dietary intake.

Objective: To examine differences in the frequency of F/V intake by food security status, and whether the number of monthly CFP visits was associated with frequency of F/V intake among university students who were CFP clients.

Design: Cross-sectional PARTICIPANTS: The study population included 1,188 university students across the 10-campus University of California system who had accessed their CFP or Basic Needs Center.

Main measures: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 6-item short food security module, monthly CFP visits, and self-reported frequency of F/V intake (daily).

Statistical analyses performed: T-tests were performed to compare differences in mean daily frequency of F/V intake by food security status. Generalized linear models were used to examine associations between monthly CFP visits and mean daily frequency of F/V intake. Using a post hoc Wald test, an interaction term (monthly CFP visits × food security status) was included to the models to determine whether food security status modified associations.

Results: Students experiencing food insecurity consumed total F/V 0.48 fewer times per day compared with students who were food secure (2.64 ± 2.11 vs 3.12 ± 2.01; P < .001). Among students experiencing food insecurity, each monthly CFP visit was associated with higher daily frequencies of intake for total F/V (β = 0.06), whole fruit (β = 0.03), 100% fruit juice (β = 0.01), and leafy greens (β = 0.01); however, no associations were found among the food-secure group.

Conclusions: Findings suggest that CFPs may be supporting students in need of nutritional assistance increase their daily frequency of F/V intake. Future studies are needed to validate these findings to inform investment in campus food pantries and support university students in need of nutritional assistance.

Keywords: College students; Diet quality; Food insecurity; Food pantry; Fruit and vegetable intake.