A Step Toward Addressing Food Insecurity

The issue of food insecurity, or lack of resources to obtain nutritious food, is not a new challenge for college students, however, over the past two years it has become a focal point on campuses throughout the country. Unfortunately, students are often faced with a decision that no student should have to face: to pay other expenses, sometimes including sending money home to support a family, for text books, or purchase a meal plan. For some, food too often falls to the bottom of the priority list.

Columbia students helped bring attention to this critical matter and sought creative solutions to support one another. In Spring 2015, students from a Columbia organization called FLIP (First-Generation Low-Income Partnership) came together with undergraduate student council representatives to work on the issue. The councils enlisted the assistance of Campus Services to help find a solution. Immediately the Columbia Dining team began to brainstorm ways to feed students who cannot afford meals. The Emergency Meal Fund program began to take shape.

Because the student community desired to personally get involved, the initial program allowed for dining plan holders to donate their guest meals, which could in turn be used by students from the three undergraduate schools (Columbia College, Engineering, and General Studies). Following a semester long trial period, the team explored improvements to the program and over time the Emergency Meal Fund has continued to evolve to best serve students' needs. In its current state, Columbia Dining now funds up to 5,000 meals per academic year for the Emergency Meal Fund, which undergraduate students can then request through a Dining Manager at JJ’s Place, no questions asked. A maximum of six meals per term can be requested per student. After the maximum is reached, students are encouraged to set up a meeting with the financial aid office to develop a long-term plan to ensure their financial needs and personal situation are addressed. 

Since its inception 2015, the initiative has provided 1,090 meals to Columbia students. This includes 278 meals during the first semester after the launch and 812 additional meals after the program was revamped. While there are still students who face greater challenges in meeting their financial demands, the Emergency Meal Fund is a first step to addressing the immediate question of where and when their next meal will come.

In addition to developing the Emergency Meal Fund, Columbia Dining has found additional ways to support students including keeping a residential dining location open during fall, Thanksgiving, and spring breaks. This change was introduced at no additional cost to dining plan members and has seen much success. Throughout the upcoming academic year, students will be offered 17 additional days of food service to our students at no additional charge. Columbia Dining has also taken over management of concessions at Baker Field, where it employs 34 students.