Food Insecurity Education Resource Center
Unpacking The Stigma Around Food Insecurity
Aside from the problem of not knowing what food insecurity is, or if you're food insecure, there is also the stigma that comes with it. Although statistics show that more of us are food insecure than we actually perceive, society conditions us to not seek help because we are "all going through it" as college students. On the contrary, that should be the reason to seek help.
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Food insecurity is not a "rite of passage" that all college students go through. It is not an inevitable part of the college experience. It is an epidemic that is affecting our country, and an even greater number of college students are facing it under the weight of isolation and stigma.
According to the Student Food Insecurity and Hunger survey done at PCC during Spring 2019, 53.6% of respondents have needed to prioritize other needs over food since becoming PCC students. When it comes students current experience, 31% of respondents said they are currently experiencing hunger. When asked about their experience with food insecurity, 34% of respondents said they were currently food insecure, while another 10% were unsure.
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It's clear that PCC students are affected by food insecurity at alarming rates, but there is an important message to be seen from this: You are not alone. Food insecurity is not something to be quiet about. It is an issue that needs to be talked about in order to be heard and for action to be taken.
Students were asked to give their opinions on how to destigmatize food insecurity in the spring 2019 Food Insecurity and Hunger survey. Here are a few of their responses:
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Bringing people together to talk about the issue and possible solutions. A club maybe.
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Offering free food regardless of need can help reduce the stigma of food insecurity and hunger. Oftentimes it seems that programs specifically geared towards or labeled for those experiencing food. Insecurity and hunger can create an environment where people may experience shame. I know that students, regardless of need, enjoy free food; however, those who actually need the food may feel more uncomfortable if the program is specifically labeled for those in need. Easy accessibility may help lower the stigma and increase the comfort level of those who are truly in need of food.
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Being able to charge food in the cafeteria to our student account like how we can in the student store/with books and supplies. Swiping our student ID would be an easy way I think.
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I believe that the stigma surrounding the issue comes from the lack of knowledge on food insecurity. Through informing people on food insecurity and how we can get food reliably, we can get rid of this stigma.
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Offering these resources freely without gatekeeping.
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