Michigan proposes "Hunger Free Campus Act" addressing food insecurity among college students

Food insecurity is being addressed on a collegiate level. 

College can be an exciting and dauting time for students--facing new changes in life. 

Food insecurity, as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, affects households with limited access to adequate food brought on by a lack of money and resources. 

Student food insecurity can be the result of low income or a lack of accessibility.

Mingled with stress and pressure, students can also not be prioritizing eating. 

The lack of a consistent diet can lead to depression. 

44 percent of students reported symptoms of depression, in a 2021-2022 Mayo Clinic study.  

According to Health Affair's "Food Insecurity on College Campuses: the Invisible Epidemic," food insecurity can have detrimental effects on a student's academic performance and health.  

"The mixture of food insecurity and stress of college contributes to food-insecure students being more likely to fall into a lower GPA category compared to their food-secure counterparts, diminishes students’ ability to excel in class, and contributes to lower attendance and completion rates," the study wrote. 

In the House Bill 5097, which Michigan proposed in September, the Hunger Free Campus Grant Program would focus on four key areas: 

• Addressing student hunger at public institutions of higher education.
• Leverage sustainable solutions to address basic needs on the campuses of public institutions of higher education.
• Raise awareness of basic-needs services offered on the campuses of public institutions of higher education.
• Build strategic partnerships at the local, state, and national levels to address food insecurity among students attending public institutions of higher education.

Michigan State University has been combating food insecurity since 1993 with MSU Student Food Bank, a food bank ran by students for students. 

MSU Food Bank distributes over 110,000 pounds of food a year for undergraduate, graduate and professional students who do not have an MSU dining plan and are enrolled in courses in fall or spring semester. 

Due to COVID, students must schedule an appointment and are allotted one visit per week. 

College students can also be eligible for SNAP benefits called the "bridge card," allowing $250 monthly for single income families. 

The launch of a food grants, food pantries and growing awareness college student's needs has been expanding nationwide, but an increasing concern comes after the impact of COVID-19.

"Families already struggling with food insecurity were strained even further," said Sheril Kershenbaum in a Michigan State University 2021 survey, widening the gap. 

Michigan State University | Holly Whetstone

Governor Whitmer, stated in a 2022 press release that during the beginning of the pandemic, according to estimates, food insecurity increased to $1.9 million statewide, including 552,000 children.

Whitmer's recommendation to decrease food insecurity in Michigan is to, "increase funding for fresh food through local and regional programs." 

She also wants to increase feedback from Michiganders who use community food programs and work on ensuring Medicaid beneficiaries, such as those with diabetes, so they can access medically appropriate food.

Most people experiencing food insecurity try to stretch their dollar, leading to purchasing cheaper, highly processed foods with excess sugars, refined grains and added fats. 

Michigan is the not the first state to address food insecurity among students, in fact, the legislature has been growing nationwide since California's introduction of the bill in 2017. 

Swipe Out Hunger

According to Swipe Out Hunger, 10 states have passed the bill: Washington, California, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Louisianna, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland, with 10 more states introducing the legislature.