Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management

Food insecurity affects California residents but disproportionately burdens low-income and/or immigrant communities. An issue of great concern is food insecurity among college-aged students. A City University of New York survey revealed that 39.2% of the 1086 respondents experienced food insecurity, while 59% of 354 respondents at Western Oregon University were food insecure. The University of California Global Food Initiative was established to address disparities of food systems policy in the UC system, particularly regarding sustainability, access, and policy impact. UC Riverside has its own efforts to improve the local food system, in alignment with the UC Global Food Initiative. However, compared to other UC campuses, UC Riverside experiences disproportionately higher rates of food insecurity. The aims of my research are to (1) assess the state of food insecurity and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) utilization among UC Riverside students, particularly those from immigrant, undocumented, and other underserved communities and (2) determine social and built environment factors that either contribute to or protect against food insecurity. Quantitative and qualitative data will be collected and analyzed accordingly, and research results will form the bases for policy recommendations to address and improve the UC Riverside food system.