Food Insecurity amongst Student Populations is Real

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     Meals on Wheels is doing great work amongst the aging populations of the greater Portland metro area. But there is hunger that is prevailing across all age groups and research within the last few years is showing that many college students in the Portland area, specifically at Portland State University, are barely able to afford a solid three meals a day. Studies conducted between the years of 2014 and 2016 show that 54-59% of students report being food insecure. In between the rising cost of tuition, rent, and other basic life staples, it can be very hard to afford three meals a day, much less nutritious, healthy meals. The food insecurity problem around Portland is apparent amongst not just student populations, but for all individuals. In Multnomah county specifically, the food insecurity rate is higher than other surrounding counties at 16.1%, with the average cost of a meal higher than other counties at $3.15 per meal. There are groups all across the area fighting to ease the problem of food insecurity, and lets take a look at specifically at what is being done to fight this issue as it regards today's student populations.
     Even though the reality of these statistics can be daunting, not everyone is standing around doing nothing. The Committee for Improving Student Food Security (CISFS) started forming at PSU in 2013, when a student named Jessica Cole conducted a survey for her graduate thesis and found a surprisingly high number of student food insecurity. CISFS is a volunteer-led committee and currently has 17 members. Much progress has been made toward alleviating the food insecurity around PSU's campus through such efforts as Meal-in-a-Mug; giving lectures around PSU to faculty, students, and community groups; and mass-printing a booklet and creating a website with important resource information. In 2014, CISFS wanted to increase student's access not just to food in general, but specifically healthy, nutritious, and fresh fruits and vegetables. So they partnered with Oregon Food Bank, and now volunteers are taking three trips each week to buy 5,000 pounds of food all paid for with donations. This program is called Harvest Share, and on the second Monday of every month, a line forms near Shattuck Hall where volunteers are handing out free fruits and veggies. CISFS wants food-deprived college students to be able access more than just dried soup, they want them to thrive and enjoy food that is actually good for them.

To learn more about CISFS, their mission, and the food insecurity problem please enjoy these links:

https://www.pdx.edu/student-access-center/sites/www.pdx.edu.student-access-center/files/PSU-Info_CISFS-SFI-Info_v03.16.2017.pdf

https://www.pdx.edu/insidepsu/free-food-on-campus

by Dan Purvis.

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