How do Student Clients of a University-based Food Bank Cope with Food Insecurity?
OBJECTIVE
To describe the food security status, food insecurity coping strategies, characteristics, and experiences of student clients of the Campus Food Bank (CFB) at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 58 students completed a survey from April 2013 to April 2014. Food security status was determined using the "Adult Food Security Survey Module".


RESULTS
Ninety percent of CFB student clients who participated in this study were food insecure, which included both moderately and severely food insecure groups. The most prevalent coping strategies for food insecurity included applying for a loan or bursary (86.2%), seeking employment or working more hours (84.5%), and purchasing food using a credit card (77.6%). Participants were a diverse mix of students, including graduate students (50.0%), international students (46.6%), and caregivers of children (24.1%). The most common primary sources of income were government student loans (29.3%) and research assistantships (20.7%). Most participants (82.8%) liked the food they received from the food bank.


CONCLUSIONS
Food insecurity is highly prevalent among student clients of this university-based food bank. Students used a variety of coping strategies to increase their disposable income, highlighting the need for additional strategies to alleviate food insecurity among vulnerable students.
a Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
Jasmine
J
Farahbakhsh
b Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
Geoff D C
GD
Ball
a Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.|c School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
Anna P
AP
Farmer
c School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
Katerina
K
Maximova
a Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
Mahitab
M
Hanbazaza
a Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
Noreen D
ND
Willows
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D063105:Food Assistance; D005523:Food Supply; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult