ABSTRACT

Community college students are experiencing food insecurity at high rates, and students with children are especially vulnerable with as many as 67% being food insecure. To understand food access in certain populations, previous research has examined the food shopping strategies implemented by families to manage a tight budget. In this study we employ a qualitative method to understand food access among parenting community college students, as no studies to date have explored their experiences. We used general qualitative inquiry to document the strategies students implemented to meet their food needs. We conducted interviews with community college students with at least one dependent child (N = 18). Participants were asked about shopping strategies and food choices when on a tight food budget. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Three themes emerged related to the strategies used to manage tight household budgets. First, students reported shopping at multiple food stores to find the best prices. Second, they adjusted food budgets based on overall household expenses. Third, they only purchased foods that would be eaten by their children to meet food preferences. Interview results highlighted student adaptability and ingenuity, yet students often had to juggle competing factors and purchased less of certain foods to stay within their budget. Community colleges should provide programming to increase food access to improve student retention and completion rates. In addition to creating campus-based programs, institutions can work with local organizations to connect students to resources (e.g., food pantries) to provide students with additional support.

摘要

社区大学生的粮食不安全率很高，有孩子的学生尤其容易受到影响，多达 67% 的学生粮食不安全。为了了解某些人群的食物获取情况，先前的研究已经检查了家庭为管理紧张预算而实施的食物购买策略。在这项研究中，我们采用定性方法来了解育儿社区大学生的食物获取情况，因为迄今为止没有研究探索他们的经历。我们使用一般定性调查来记录学生为满足他们的食物需求而实施的策略。我们采访了至少有一个受抚养子女的社区大学生（N= 18)。当食物预算紧张时，参与者被问及购物策略和食物选择。采访被记录和转录。出现了三个与用于管理紧张家庭预算的策略有关的主题。首先，学生报告在多家食品店购物以找到最优惠的价格。其次，他们根据家庭总支出调整了食品预算。第三，他们只购买孩子会吃的食物以满足食物偏好。面试结果突出了学生的适应能力和独创性，但学生往往不得不兼顾竞争因素并减少购买某些食物以保持在预算范围内。社区大学应提供计划以增加食物获取，以提高学生的保留率和完成率。除了创建校园课程外，