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Addressing Food Insecurity on Campus: How Technology Can Help
Food insecurity is a growing concern on college and university campuses. 1 in 3 students reportedly experience some type of food insecurity throughout the year. For many, this means skipping meals, relying on low-cost but unhealthy options, or sacrificing nutrition to cover tuition and housing costs.
The impact goes beyond hunger. Food insecurity creates stress and uncertainty that negatively impacts mental health and makes it harder for students to focus on academics or participate fully in campus life. When students struggle with basic needs, they are more likely to miss classes or drop out altogether.
Why Students Face Food Insecurity
The causes are complex but familiar:
Rising tuition and fees combined with limited financial aid.
Increasing housing and living costs.
Limited access to affordable, healthy food options.
The stigma surrounding asking for help.
Left unaddressed, these challenges have a ripple effect, weakening student involvement, affecting classroom performance, and ultimately threatening student success.
Embry-Riddle’s Approach: A Model for Support
Some institutions are finding innovative ways to provide support. At Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), the Food & Resource Pantry has become a vital initiative, connecting students to essentials that address food insecurity and other needs.
By using the CampusGroups student engagement platform, ERAU has been able to:
Streamline access to pantry services and resources.
Manage inventory and appointments more efficiently.
Recruit and organize volunteers with ease.
Reduce stigma through confidential, app-based ordering and pickup.
Students can discreetly select items like fresh produce or hygiene kits, or donate unused meal swipes to their peers. Volunteers prepare items for pickup, ensuring students get what they need and can privately pick up items. This supportive environment fosters a stronger sense of belonging, making it easier for students to stay connected to their campus community.
Introducing Campus Table
To build on efforts like Embry-Riddle’s, Ready Education has launched Campus Table, a new feature within CampusGroups designed specifically to help institutions address food insecurity.
With Campus Table, institutions can:
Integrate existing food pantries and swipe donation programs directly into the platform students already use daily.
Enable confidential requests for pantry items or donated meal swipes.
Allow community members to donate money, food, or personal items based on a customizable needs list.
Provide administrators with tools for eligibility management, inventory tracking, pickup logistics, and reporting.
By embedding food support into a broader student engagement platform, Ready Education is making resources easier to access while removing barriers and stigma. This integration also helps institutions strengthen student retention by ensuring learners feel supported and equipped for success.
How Campus Table helps institutions fight food insecurity.