Food Insecurity + Resources
By: Lilly Kate Diaz ‘20
Certain foods are important for our bodies.
We know that.
Yet, college students (whether community college, college/university) are experiencing food insecurity.
And while we may make self-deprecating jokes about it, in the end – it’s not that funny; it’s pretty serious.
In a 2016 Los Angeles Times article, data revealed that 4 out of 10 students in the UC system did not have consistent healthy foods.
An earlier study (based in University of Hawai’i) discovered that ~20% of their students would skip meals.
Some of you might be saying, “Well, instant ramen is the way to go.”
But no. It’s not.
By eating these cheap, instant foods, you’re damaging your body and depriving it of the nutrients that it needs.
So, I thought it be best to share some information on where you can get help/resources to aid your/others’ food insecurity.
Before getting to the resources, I figure I should tell you all what the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) defines food insecurity as.
Food Insecurity (n.): A household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food.
According to Olivia Ellison’s article, there are factors that fall into the food insecurity attributes:
- Worrying that food will run out
- Purchasing food that goes bad too quickly and not being able to afford more
- Eating less than desired in order to save it
- Not eating for fear of running out of food
- Not being able to afford balanced meals
- Any of the above occurring longer than three months
There are ways/places that may aid your food insecurity at USC.
- Government
Here’s an image (sorry for poor quality) on how you can get CalFresh!
- Religious Affiliations/Places
- While I couldn’t find any exact information on food being supplied to students, as an LA Native, I can assure you that at these sanctuaries/churches/etc. give to those in need! So definitely keep your eyes peeled!
- USC
- While some schools are rising up and creating programs/pantries to provide food to their students, our lovely home has provided: The Virtual Pantry. This pantry allows a gift card of $25 to Ralphs/Trader Joe’s. Laura Paisley’s article talks about a gracious donation to the program and speaks about a participate that used the Virtual Pantry.
Remember these are three out of the several other ways I’m sure you can do to be food secure or to combat food insecurity.
Also, please remember that it’s one thing to eat, but another to eat healthy food!
Don’t hurt your body! Take great care of it.
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