Thirteenth International Conference on Food Studies

Abstract

Stephen F. Austin State University is a regional university in rural East Texas. We currently have 11,327 enrolled students (9823 undergraduate and 1504 graduate students). Being in a rural region with food deserts and a student population that relies heavily on financial aid, it is not unusual to encounter food insecurity among our students. In 2015, SFA opened its food pantry and in 2018, the author began surveying SFA’s students as to food insecurity and the food pantry. Many of the questions asked were those surveyed at other universities so as to have comparable data. Interestingly, SFA students do not follow the food insecurity trends seen at many other universities. This paper examines those differences and how the changing of the location of the food pantry affects student participation in the program.