Exploring college student experiences with little pantries

A qualitative study addressing campus food insecurity

Abstract

Food insecurity is a growing concern among col­lege students, affecting academic success, physical health, and mental health. Food pantries are the most common intervention in higher education to address this issue; however, students often face barriers such as a lack of information about pantry locations and feelings of shame or resistance when seeking assistance. This study evaluates the Little Ram Pantries program, an innovative model devel­oped in collaboration with community food banks and an existing campus pantry. The program pro­vides nonperishable food items in compact con­tainers strategically placed in public campus loca­tions to enhance food access. Using exploratory qualitative methods, we conducted three focus groups with 13 college students at a public univer­sity in 2022. Thematic analysis was performed to explore students’ experiences with the program. Findings indicate that the Little Pantries improved access to food assistance by offering barrier-free, quick access to essential items. Their placement in multiple public locations helped reduce the social stigma associated with pantry use and increased awareness of campus pantry services. Participants also noted that the visibility of the Little Pantries validated food insecurity as a common challenge among students, normalizing the experience. These results suggest that the Little Pantries program may be a promising way to complement traditional food initiatives and address systemic food insecurity through nonstigmatizing support services. Researchers, community practitioners, and policy­makers are encouraged to advocate for and imple­ment similar programs in campus and community settings to improve food access for marginalized and underserved populations.