The COVID-19 Pandemic and College Student Food Access: Perspectives from Students at Four North Carolina Universities

Food insecurity prevalence among college students has increased. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated food insecurity generally but the particular impact on college students was unclear. In-depth interviews were conducted at four North Carolina universities to determine how the pandemic impacted food access. Students were asked about the food resources they turned to and what universities could do to help. Evidence suggests food access was disrupted during the pandemic for most students, and disruption varied throughout the pandemic. Students provided recommendations for how universities can improve food access. Universities need to better prepare to support food security among students, pandemic or not.