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The Relationship Between a Campus Food Pantry and Academic Success at a Public University

Author

Listed:
  • Linda Fergus

    (Department of Human Sciences, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX 77341, USA)

  • Di Gao

    (Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX 77341, USA)

  • Kathleen Gilbert

    (College of Health Sciences, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX 77341, USA)

  • Tabbetha Lopez

    (Department of Human Sciences, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX 77341, USA)

Abstract

Food insecurity (FI) is associated with lower academic performance in university students. This research aimed to describe the relationship between a campus food pantry and academic performance, describe the characteristics of student pantry shoppers (PSs), and develop a model to predict academic success. Researchers obtained student pantry swipes and university data (2021–2022 academic year) to generate a dataset for grade point average (GPA) (N = 23,896) and a subset of PS sociodemographic data (N = 852). Variables (cumulative or term GPA) differed based on models. Explanatory variables were biological sex, age, frequency of pantry shopping, classification, Pell Grant eligibility, college, athlete status, citizenship, residency, ethnicity/race, honors, and first-generation status. The analysis included the two-sample t -test, logistic and multiple regression, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO). There was no difference (t(921.8) = 0.518, p = 0.60) in the cumulative GPA between PSs (M = 3.001 [0.808]) and non-pantry shoppers (NPSs) (M = 3.016 [0.874]). In the fall term, PSs (M = 3.018 [1.012] earned a higher GPA (t(581.69) = −2.235, p = 0.03) than NPSs (M = 2.919 [1.123]). Pantry shoppers achieved academic success despite exhibiting risk factors for FI, including first-generation status, being of the female sex, and financial need. Targeted multicomponent campus programs are needed to provide food assistance to students at risk for FI.

Suggested Citation

  • Linda Fergus & Di Gao & Kathleen Gilbert & Tabbetha Lopez, 2024. "The Relationship Between a Campus Food Pantry and Academic Success at a Public University," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:13:y:2024:i:11:p:587-:d:1509241
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Evansha Andre & Yingru Li & Dapeng Li & J. Scott Carter & Amy Donley & Boon Peng Ng, 2024. "Food Insecurity within a Public University and the Role of Food Assistance Programs Amid the Global Pandemic," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Miriam Manboard & Cassandra M. Johnson & Hannah Thornton & Lesli Biediger-Friedman, 2021. "The HOME Study: Understanding How College Students at a Hispanic Serving Institution Coped with Food Insecurity in a Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-14, October.
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