Houston Food Bank’s Post

“Food insecurity is often an experience compounded by other forms of basic need insecurity, such as financial instability and unstable transportation… The Home Delivery Program promotes consistent and healthy food intake while addressing financial and transportation barriers that impact access.” So great to see our fellow FEDERATION OF VIRGINIA FOOD BANKS member Capital Area Food Bank working alongside DoorDash and George Mason University’s Patriot Pantry to make nutritious food more accessible for college students struggling with hunger! Navigating college life is hard enough -- and the combination of food insecurity and college stress can increase students’ risk of depression, hinder their academic performance and cause them to rely on cheaper, highly-processed foods, which can lead to poorer health outcomes. That's why programs like this make a huge difference, making it easier for students to access the healthy foods they need to thrive and devote their full attention toward academic excellence! https://lnkd.in/gKdgJNXB

Five students from four different academic backgrounds have come together this semester to use their math skills to help solve a significant problem for a local food insecurity nonprofit. As part of the PIC (Preparation for Industrial Careers) Math program, Morgan Szucs, Lily Sorensen, Joshua Radloff, Colin Walters, and Dallas Bolen were selected by Assistant Math Professor Michelle Jeitler to help Community Food Initiatives (CFI) solve an efficiency problem. “The problem that we have collectively decided is to help solve is that CFI does not have a method of measuring how much they bid on produce at CPA (the Chesterhill Produce Auction) to have a sustainable business practice,” says Dallas Bolen ’27, a Biochemistry major and a College Credit Plus student. CPA is one of the suppliers of produce for CFI’s food distribution program. “Exactly what range or what amount do they need to bid for specific produce items so that they can go in and know that they’re not going to (overbid) and run in the negative. The solution that we are going to come up with is to create a resource based on past data that can allow anyone from CFI to bid on and purchase produce in a thrifty and sustainable way.” 🔗 Read more in the Journal section of the latest edition of Marietta Magazine: https://lnkd.in/g8wScsGf

Check out this guide to grow your youth and food systems program!

"Campus leaders and policy makers can help address campus food insecurity by building holistic wraparound systems to support the multi-faceted needs of students facing food insecurity. To do this, policy makers and leaders must begin to understand food insecurity as more than a statistic and acknowledge the human experiences of those it affects." -A content analysis of qualitative research on college student food insecurity in the United States. https://lnkd.in/gRt7keAe 

As we navigate the challenges of higher education, it's crucial to shine a light on a pressing issue: food insecurity among college students. Recent data underscore the stark reality: far too many students are struggling to access nutritious meals, impacting their academic success and overall well-being. According to a recent study by Swipe Out Hunger, 38% of students at two-year colleges and 29% of students at four-year colleges have experienced food insecurity. This isn't just a statistic—it's a call to action. From advocating for campus food pantries to fostering partnerships with local organizations, there are tangible steps we can take to support our students. I am grateful for our collaboration with Bon Appétit Management Company, who is partnering with Butler University and other institutions across the country to find innovative solutions. Let's amplify this important conversation, raise awareness, and work towards creating a more equitable and inclusive environment for all students. #FoodInsecurity #StudentSuccess #Wellbeing

😀 Good to be with lots of school food colleagues at the LACA - The School Food People #LACAmainevent national conference. And thank you to the organisers for letting us talk about the #economics of school food and the School Food Matters commissioned #Costofaschoolmeal 🥗 Lots to celebrate in school food - but also lots for tomorrow's administration to grapple with: 🍽 #EquitableAccess - how to ensure all children can afford good nutritious school meals (Ambition = Universal Free School Meals) 📏 #QualityAssurance - how to put in place a fair but transparent monitoring and reporting mechanism to support everyone to make sure children are eating the great school food they need 💲 #Fairerfunding - it's all about the economics of school food - we need enough money in the system to deliver fair wages, good food and promote #great Lot's to do, lots to talk about. The #SchoolFoodReview - consisting of over 40 national organisations spanning the school food system, will be working hard with the new administration to deliver the #manifesto and ensure a bright future for children's nutritional health... 😍😍😍

The latest episode of "Enlighten U" dives into food insecurity, how it affects college students, and campus resources available for students. #TruEMU To learn more, visit: https://true.mu/3WGjfCE

Food insecurity is becoming a key issue for higher education institutions. Check out our latest blog to get tips for fighting food insecurity on your campus – including how smart lockers can lend a helping hand. #foodinsecurity Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/gV7HQZ3A

Our #ZeroHunger Summer Seminars start on June 12 (one week from now)! For our first session, we'll be talking with Minerva Delgado from Alliance to End Hunger and Ellen Teller from Food Research & Action Center, covering domestic anti-hunger policy in the U.S. Which policies that have the greatest impact on hunger and food security in the U.S.? How have changes to these programs during the pandemic affected hunger? What has happened as these expansions have begun to phase out? And finally, how can anti-hunger advocates can use their voices to support policies that promote food security? It's free to sign up, so join us and learn more about anti-hunger policy in the U.S. from experts in the field. See you on the 12th!

🥦 Reid State Food Pantry: Supporting Students Every Step of the Way! 🫑 Don't let hunger stand in the way of your success. Visit the Reid State Food Pantry today and take advantage of this valuable resource designed to support you on your journey to achieving your academic goals. Together, we can ensure that every student has access to the nourishment they need to thrive. #ReidStateCares #SupportingStudents #FoodPantry 🌟