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E-Poster

Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice

Exploring and Understanding Social Work Students’ Lived and Living Experiences of Food Insecurity

Food insecurity, driven by financial constraints and structural inequities, significantly affects U.S. college students, particularly marginalized groups. We highlight impacts of food insecurity on social work students’ health, academics, and quality of life and provide recommendations for practicum support, improved access and awareness of food programs, and de-stigmatization efforts.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, attendees should be able to:
  1. Examine the prevalence and multifaceted impacts of food insecurity on social work students' physical health, mental health, academic performance, work performance, and social life at a public research-intensive university across BSSW, MSW, and PhD programs and five campuses.
  2. Analyze disparate experiences of stigma, food access, food availability, affordability, food insecurity and assistance programs in relation to social, economic, and racial injustices, and cultural and geographic differences.
  3. 3. Discuss student recommendations for addressing food insecurity, such as financial support for practicum placements, increasing awareness of food assistance programs, expanding food pantry hours, offering cooking classes, and reducing stigma associated with utilizing food assistance programs.