1. An Investigation of Food Insecurity at WPI

2. Background

3. Food Insecurity, Defined

4. Food Insecurity in Massachusetts

5. Food Insecurity in College Students
In Massachusetts:
MIT
Quinsigamond Community College
Holy Cross
Across the United States:
California State University System
Illinois Public Universities
The Wisconsin Hope Lab
Chris (Knows about the WHL, can speak to the Mass. College information, Quinsigamond Transfer)​
QCC – "57% of students cut or skipped meals due to budgetary concerns" (link)​
MIT - "… as many as 13% of undergraduates do not have enough to eat"​
Holy Cross – SPUD(?) program (Poverty and Hunger programs) (link)
Wisconsin Hope lab (premiere study into campus hunger) based out of the University of Wisconsin.
QCC
MIT
California report
Illinois report
WHL - spring 2018 report

6. Food Insecurity at WPI No Prior Research Administrative Concerns
Demonstrated Need

7. Methodology

8. Survey Online Platform Design Basis Anonymous Chris​
Qualtrics (WPI resource)​
Designed to be concise and collect only the necessary information needed to identify severity​
Demographics questions are to be used to identify causes and correlations of food insecurity, and potential solutions to food insecurity on campus.​

9. Interviews Benefits of Interviews Students Professionals
Maggie (Came up with interview questions and forms)​

10. Findings

11. Dan
UP READABILITY OF THESE GRAPHS
Add data to end of bar
Go vertical bars on 1st graph, take out degrees of food insecurity
For 2nd, take out employment information

12. Dan
UP READABILITY OF THESE GRAPHS
Add data to end of bar
Go vertical bars on 1st graph, take out degrees of food insecurity
For 2nd, take out employment information

15. Student Testimonials
“My mental health: anxiety, worrying, and shame about how to pay for food and all the other bills in my life.”
“Cannot eat in Morgan to make friends/with friends due to lack of funds”
“It's super hard to focus on studying when you're wicked hungry and end up spending an hour debating whether you should suck it up and get food on campus because it is too expensive to be able to afford.”
“All of these areas [social, health, studies] are affected. I feel like a burden on the people around me. I feel like I cannot take care of my own needs.”
Dan

16. Recommendations

17. Education For Freshmen
Budgeting Meal Plans
Nutrition
Food-Related Resources
Maggie

18. Support for Dietary Restrictions
Allergen-Free Options
Minimization of Cross-Contamination
Clear, Specific Food Labeling Practices.
Maggie

19. Increasing Access to Food
Dorms Further From Main Campus
Late-Night Hours
Small, On-the-Go Meal-Swipe Kiosks

20. Meal Swipe Donation App
App Features
Kiosk
Methods for Student Donation
Chris

21. Pre-Packaged Meal Donation
Frozen, Sealed Food
Accessible for Holidays and Breaks
Requires Storage
Reduces Overall Waste in Dining Facilities
Chris

22. Benefits for Upperclassmen
SNAP Benefits
Application Process Information
Maggie

23. Clubs and Organizations
Demographic Clubs
Organizations to Implement Solutions
Chris

24. Food Insecurity Task Force
Demographic Composition
Determines the Needs of Food Insecure Students
Ensures the Sustainability of Solutions
Implements New Solutions as Necessary
Maggie

25. Conclusion
Maggie