Transact Campus Partners in Action: The University of Pittsburgh Takes Steps to Wipe Out Food Insecurity

Imagine being a college student, inundated with new books, professors, and assignments. Add being hungry to that situation, and you have a recipe for disaster. A 2021 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health study found that students facing food insecurity are less likely to succeed in college and are at higher risk to fall into the achievement gap. The report revealed “Food insecurity is not just associated with but is a contributing cause of lower educational attainment,” and in fact, “food-insecure learners are about half as likely (43%) to graduate from college than their food-secure peers.” 

September marks Hunger Action Month, a time earmarked for raising awareness about food insecurity and taking steps to prevent it. Food insecurity, defined as the lack of consistent access to sufficient, nutritious food for a healthy life, is a pressing issue faced by many, including college students. Keep reading to learn about the challenges of food insecurity among college students and how Transact’s partner, the University of Pittsburgh, also known as “Pitt,” is working to solve this serious problem. 

The changing face of college students 

The composition of college students has evolved over the years, with a majority falling into the category of nontraditional students. These individuals may work full-time, be financially independent, and have additional responsibilities like caring for dependents. Balancing education, work, and family creates financial strain, making it harder to afford nutritious meals. As mentioned above, food insecurity can impede a student's ability to excel academically and pursue their professional aspirations. For many, it's a choice between buying textbooks or groceries, and this should never be the case. 

Pitt Initiatives help ensure no student goes hungry 

According to a Hope Center survey, approximately 18% of Pitt students reported having “low or very low levels of food security.” 

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the University of Pittsburgh is taking proactive steps to combat food insecurity among its students and the surrounding community. Here are six ways Pitt is taking action: 

1. Emergency Meal Assistance: Created in 2020, Pitt’s emergency meal assistance program has been critical to helping address food insecurity across campus. In FY22 alone, the program provided over 9,000 meals to 602 students, including $7,500 in external grant support from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. 
2. Student Emergency Assistance Fund: This fund, available through the Division of Student Affairs, extends support beyond food expenses. It covers unanticipated and insurmountable expenses related to emergency situations. 
3. Pitt Pantry: Established in 2015, the Pitt Pantry is a critical part of meeting the Pitt community’s basic needs. Its mission is to ensure that all members of the Pitt community have regular access to a balanced and nutritious diet. The student-run Pantry has served 1,355 visitors between 2018 and 2022, and in FY22, the Pantry had 974 visits from 387 unique shoppers. Small food and household donations can be dropped off at the pantry, and larger donations can be scheduled in advance. Financial donations are also welcome. Fast fact: A $5.00 donation allows the pantry to buy 100 pounds of fresh produce from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. 
4. Food Recovery Heroes: Food Recovery Heroes is the university’s chapter of the Food Recovery Network, an organization which unites colleges students to fight food waste and hunger by recovering surplus food from campus dining halls and donating it to local hunger-fighting agencies. The student-run organization is led by volunteers who help by packaging and delivering meals, among other tasks. 
5. Free meal donations: At the end of each semester, students can easily donate any leftover meal passes and/or “dining dollars” by registering online and simply swiping on their mobile device.  
6. SNAP benefits accepted: SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits are a federal government program that provides food purchasing assistance to low-income individuals. Pitt students enrolled at least half-time may qualify for these benefits. SNAP benefits are accepted at Pitt’s Forbes Street Market, which is part of Pitt EATS, the school’s dining services program. 

Pitt EATS partners with Chartwells Higher Education, their food services provider, on many of these initiatives.  

“Food is a basic human right, that’s why we want to make sure every student has access to it,” said Nick Pagano, Marketing Director at Chartwells. 

One of the newest ways students at Pitt will be able access fresh food on campus is by using lockers, located in a residence hall lobby. On weekdays, the lockers will be stocked with 25 packaged, reheatable meals available free-of-charge for any student registered with the Pitt Pantry. Each meal contains a protein, vegetable, and starch.  What’s more, the lockers will be unmarked, so students using them won’t feel singled out or self-conscious.

"We are proud to feed future leaders and understand the immense responsibility we have to nourish our guest’s minds and bodies. Pitt Eats was searching for a way to better help our students battle food insecurity,” said Sandy Barsotti, director of marketing and communications for the Office of Business, Hospitality and Auxiliary Services. 

“Installing lockers that can maintain the proper temperature was the next step in our desire to better serve our students in need.” 

Feedback from pantry shoppers show the positive impact these efforts have made. 

“Worrying about food was really starting to affect my schoolwork. The pantry had better items than I could have hoped for, and the volunteers made the experience great,” one student commented. 

“It’s really comforting to know that I can come to the Pitt Pantry and not worry so much about eating,” said another. 

School offers support beyond campus 

Recognizing that food insecurity is a community-wide issue, Pitt offers the following resources to anyone in need, regardless of university affiliation: 

• Other pantries: The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank offers a resource to find food assistance based on location and operating hours. This resource extends beyond the university community, ensuring that anyone in need can access support. Additional food pantry options can be found here. 
• United Way (2-1-1): The United Way of Southwestern PA provides a helpline (2-1-1), allowing individuals to find emergency food assistance. This service is available to anyone in the region.

Pitt inspires us to work together to fight food insecurity 

Food insecurity among college students is a pressing issue that requires collective action. The University of Pittsburgh is leading the way by providing tangible support to students facing these challenges. By offering a range of resources and advocating for policy changes, they are making strides towards a future where every student can pursue their education without the burden of hunger. This collaborative effort serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring other institutions to take similar steps in the fight against food insecurity. The school’s efforts aren’t going unnoticed—Pitt was awarded a $60,000 PA Hunger-Free Campus grant to combat student food insecurity. They were also designated a “PA Hunger-Free Campus+” for implementing additional innovative solutions for the campus community. As a designee, Pitt received a certificate of recognition, placement on the PA Hunger-Free Campus website, and is eligible to apply for future grant opportunities. 

Transact is proud to partner with clients like the University of Pittsburgh. We applaud their dedication and commitment to ending student hunger, not just during Hunger Action Month, but all year long. Since 2020, Pitt, in partnership with Chartwells and other organizations, has donated nearly 87,000 pounds of food and more than 71,000 meals.  

“This is not just a ‘right now’ thing, it’s an ongoing problem. Our research shows that 43% of Pitt students experience some sort of food insecurity. That’s why we’re always looking at ways we can give back,” said Julie Bannister, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Auxiliary Services. 

To learn more about how you can donate or help fight food insecurity visit Feeding America's Hunger Action Month website.