Most Americans have felt the effects of inflation at some point or another. From gas to clothing to eggs, everything is expensive these days– especially groceries. Affording food is becoming especially difficult for college students.

Cover 2 Cover posed the question “How Do You Get Fed?” to a sample of over 50 students at Howard University living on and off campus, working and unemployed. Here are some of our findings.

Students are simply not eating to combat the cost of food. 

34% of students mentioned snacking more, rationing their portions, enforcing more dietary restrictions or eating less overall in order to offset the costs of eating.

54.7% of respondents do not have a meal plan. 45% of them were also unemployed. These students admitted to eating less or skipping meals all together. 

One anonymous entry says they replace meals with drinking water. Another says they’ve lost 17 pounds since the beginning of the semester.

SHOPPING HABITS

Disordered eating is not the only response to this economic upheaval. Intentional shopping has been one way many have been able to get by. Several people cited extreme budgeting, couponing, meal prepping, grocery store rewards/member discounts, or working more hours to pay for groceries as their method of choice. 

“Living on campus in D.C. has opened my eyes to true food inaccessibility,” says senior Howard student, Samiah Davis.

Jayla Sheffield, a freshman, says she's “definitely seen a change in my eating habits like literally just eating less. I feel like the rising costs of fruits and vegetables are the most harmful. The healthiest options tend to be the most expensive.”

Inflation disproportionately affects low-income people, which made up over 44% of Howard’s student body in 2021. 

The average meal plan at Howard is $2486 per semester which costs about $622 per month (using an average semester of four months).

According to a 2022 report, the average cost of food per month for one person in the US ranges from $150 to $300.

The average cost of groceries per month for the Howard students that we surveyed totaled $167.40.

“Shopping in D.C, I’ve noticed I hit the $100 mark so much quicker than before, and I look at the items I got (which often aren’t many) and it’s just been so disconcerting having to adapt to the rising food costs,” said Umegbolu. 

For some, it is cheaper to eat out with fast food than to buy groceries and eat at home. 

“It’s been stressful, having to opt toward cheaper alternatives or just not getting certain items altogether,” says sophomore Kristen Umegbolu. “I won’t say I’m handling it well, it’s like I'm constantly monitoring my bank account and grimacing after seeing money leave my account — for things that are essential to my survival.”

Others have gotten creative with how they get their meals by eating at campus events, menu hacking, or using delivery promotions.

About 15% of respondents said they are relying on others, whether it be parents or friends, to eat. Those who can, rely on their meal plan entirely.

About 58% of students said they were unable to supplement food costs in any way. 13% said they have access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, 15% resort to stealing, and another 13% cited other ways.

CAMPUS RESOURCES

It is no secret that a healthy diet is linked to better academic achievement which is why Americans have seen initiatives like First Lady Michelle Obama’s school lunch campaign rolled into action. ‘Food for all’ programs are sparse at the university level though, causing more students to take action themselves.

In October of 2022, HUSA Senate and COAS Student Council released an application for “Emergency Funding for Food Insecure Students” that would supply meal swipes biweekly. While the follow-up has been minimal, the initiative recognizes that food insecurity is a real issue facing college students.

The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs established a campus food pantry in 2018. Meant to aid students experiencing short-term food insecurity, ‘TheStore@HU’ allows people to pick up up to 10 non-perishable items and provides hygiene necessities on a request basis. 

“I have a total of 576 students who have officially registered for the pantry, when I took over it was maybe only 100,” said Paullete Porter, pantry manager, who took over during the in-person return after the coronavirus pandemic.

Due to a number of factors including supply chain disruptions and the war in Ukraine, food prices rose 10 percent in 2022. They’re expected to rise another seven percent this year. 

If you are a student facing food insecurity on Howard’s campus, you can visit the food pantry located in the lower level of College Hall South Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3-5pm.