University of Northern Colorado Scholarship & Creative Works @ Digital UNC Dissertations Student Research 7-2017 Experiences of Students Utilizing a Campus Food Pantry Jamie Daugherty Follow this and additional works at: https://digscholarship.edu/dissertations Recommended Citation Daugherty, Jamie, "Experiences of Students Utilizing a Campus Food Pantry" (2017).edu/dissertations/437 This Text is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Research at Scholarship & Creative Works @ Digital UNC. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholarship & Creative Works @ Digital UNC. For more information, please contact Jane. © 2017 Jamie Daugherty ALL RIGHTS RESERVED UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO Greeley, Colorado The Graduate School EXPERIENCES OF STUDENTS UTILIZING A CAMPUS FOOD PANTRY A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Jamie Daugherty College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Department of Leadership, Policy and Development: Higher Education and P-12 Education Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership Program August 2017 This Dissertation by: Jamie Daugherty Entitled: Experiences of Students Utilizing a Campus Food Pantry has been approved as meeting the requirement of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Leadership, Policy and Development: Higher Education and P-12 Education, Program of Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership Accepted by the Doctoral Committee ______________________________________________________________________ Matthew Birnbaum, Ph., Research Advisor ______________________________________________________________________ Florence M., Committee Member ______________________________________________________________________ Alena Clark, Ph., Committee Member ______________________________________________________________________ Nancy Sileo, Ph., Faculty Representative Date of Dissertation Defense_______________________________________________ Accepted by the Graduate School __________________________________________________________________ Linda L.
Associate Provost and Dean Graduate School and International Admissions ABSTRACT Daugherty, Jamie. Experiences of Students Utilizing a Campus Food Pantry. Published Doctor of Philosophy dissertation, University of Northern Colorado, 2017. Food insecurity is a phenomenon with far-reaching impacts on the social, economic, health, and well-being of college students’ lives impacting how they procure food, food choices, and food experiences.
A qualitative narrative inquiry explored experiences of three students facing food insecurity and using a campus food pantry. Data collection methods included in-depth semi-structured interviews, journaling, and photo elicitation. Data analysis illustrated five themes: a) financial challenge identification; b) strategizing budget priorities; c) prioritizing health; d) food pantry uses and strategies; and e) having enough. Students’ experiences were impacted by social and physical implications due to their financial challenges.
The food pantry filled a void for all participants ensuring they had items which provided enough to meet needs. Next steps include developing a food security assessment tool, increasing department collaborations, and maximizing resource utilization provided by the food pantry. These implications are designed specifically for stakeholders invested in providing a campus food pantry to maximize students’ needs and success. Key Words: campus food pantry, food insecurity, higher education iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who have assisted me in completing this journey.
I would like to extend appreciation to the three participants who shared their story and made this dissertation content possible. In sharing their experiences, they helped me and hopefully others have a greater understanding surrounding food insecurity and experiences of students using a campus food pantry. I would like to thank my committee members who assisted in the completion of this research study. Matthew Birnbaum continuously pushed me to think more critically and develop my thoughts.
You allowed the opportunity to always go back to the literature and stretch my understanding around research design and the meaning given to content presented. I appreciate your support and enthusiasm for the topic, amongst the rest of your current workload. I would like to thank Florence M. Your insight and thoughtfulness in listening and providing consistent and helpful feedback is priceless.
You pushed me to be the best researcher and practitioner I could be, as I moved through the HESA program. Always empowering me to think differently and see the world from an alternative perspective, while enjoying the gifts I was given and sharing them with others. Thank you for your time and commitment to this process. I would like to thank Alena Clark.
It is comforting to always see a familiar face at our committee meetings; another dietitian who could provide clarity and understanding iv around nutrition specific content and have perception around alternative ways to approach aspects of the research design. Thank you for your support and insight during this process. I would like to thank Nancy Sileo. By being there last fall to help move my proposal to the next stage and saying “yes” to continuing as part of the committee, I thank you.
Thanks for your additional insight and time commitment in the middle of an already busy schedule. I would like to thank my current Fontbonne faculty members who helped support me through this process the last nine months. They allowed me space to finish this research in a timely manner. Without this, I would still be slowly progressing along.
I would like to thank my Greeley cohort. Though we will all finish at different times it has been comforting to know others were out there cheering you on each step of the way. Andrea and Shannon, I appreciated and looked forward to discussing our challenges and triumphs over lunch and dinner. These laughs were much needed the past five years.
Becky, you are a wonderful note taker providing priceless insight, since you were always one step ahead of me. I would like to thank my family, especially my lovely mother, Joan, and husband, Tony. Though neither truly understand the logistics of this research project, they never questioned the time I had to take and remove myself from family duties to get things done. My Mom spent countless hours’ caretaking for our son, Peyton, and was always a cheerleader to complete this final “paper.” Tony took on additional parental duties and v was consistently patient as this process dragged on, longer than most people can understand.
I would like to dedicate this dissertation to two individuals, my son, Peyton and my father, Jimmy. Peyton and I began this program together in August 2012 when he was in utero, and now he is asking me, “Why are you are on computer all the time?” Another reason, why the end of this process is vital. This process, Peyton, is proof that if you work hard, stay focused, and determined, you can do anything. I hope these values can be part of your adult life, whichever path you choose.
Thank you for giving me life during a time filled with isolation and sacrifice. To Jimmy, my father, role model, and friend. Before you left this earth in 1994, you told me a doctor would be a great and profitable career. By no means where you referring to a Doctor of Philosophy, because I am certain that was not even in your vocabulary.
However, I have finally become that Dr., and though I will not be conducting rounds anytime soon in the local hospital, I know you would be beyond proud of this accomplishment. Thank you for providing me with phenomenal values at a young age: determination, focus, a sense of humor, and a sense of purpose. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………… 1 Purpose of the Study .3 Definition of Terms.8 Significance of the Study .9 Theoretical Framework: Symbolic Interactionism .11 My Story: Food Experiences.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE……………………………………….17 Multidimensional Aspects of Food Insecurity .17 Scope and Relevance of Food Insecurity in the U. and at HEIs .20 Resources Available to Students .30 Stigma Surrounding Food Insecurity .33 Impacts of Food Insecurity .35 Understanding Food Experiences and Food Choices .44 Theoretical Perspective in the Literature .51 Review of Research Questions .51 The Qualitative Research Design.52 Exploratory Study: Potential HEI Impact .67 Data Collection Methods .72 Reflexivity: Researcher Journal .90 Criteria for Rigor. PARTICIPANT PROFILES AND THEMATIC DEVELOPMENT.154 Financial Challenge Identification .155 Strategizing Budget Priorities .171 Food Pantry Uses and Strategies. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS …………………………….202 Addressing Research Questions Using SI.220 Theoretical Implications Summary .228 Implications and Recommendations .230 Future Research Considerations.
CAMPUS FOOD PANTRY PHOTOGRAPHS …………………. CONSENT FORM FOR PARTICIPATION IN RESEARCH……. INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD APPROVAL …………. SAMPLE QUESTIONS AND PHOTO ELICITIATION PROMPTS…………….293 viii LIST OF TABLES 1.
Three-dimensional narrative inquiry space…………………………………….…99 ix LIST OF FIGURES 1. Theoretical implications map……………………………………………….…205 x 1 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION As a faculty member of food and nutrition, I teach students the basic components of nutrition. One assignment I give, requires students to fill out a 24-hour recall, a tool used by dietitians to assess individual's daily food intake, timing of meals, where meals are eaten, with whom, and their mood when engaging in eating. About a year ago, a student noted in his food recall he had only eaten carrots at lunch.
In my usual fashion, I made notes on the side bar for each student such as – "need more fruits and veggies," "where are the whole grains?", "let us talk about portions,” and "redistribution of calories throughout the day." The student approached me after class and told me carrots were all he had left in his refrigerator. It was Tuesday and his paycheck would not arrive until Friday. His plan for the rest of the week was to eat more in the campus food classes, and more carrots. Food insecurity on higher education institutions (HEIs) campuses began to interest me shortly after this encounter.
Prompted by my advisor to begin reviewing literature on this topic, I found information on the prevalence, impacts, and HEIs' response to food insecurity on their campuses. This led to more questions and concerns. After reflecting on the literature, I realized how this topic bridged the worlds in which I currently reside. As faculty member, a dietitian, and a chef, I encounter students struggling with food insecurity and all its complexities.
I work with students who are in 2 transitional housing or homeless, have only carrots to carry them through two more days, and live day-to-day wondering where they will find their next meal. When school is not in session, I wonder, what are these students eating? Students often experience invisible struggles when accessing food. The impact food insecurity and hunger has on students as they pursue a degree influences many areas of their lives: academic, personal, physical, mental, and social, ultimately impacting persistence (Bhattacharya, Currie, & Haider, 2004; Cady, 2014; Gaines, Robb, Knol, & Sickler, 2014; Hughes, Serebryanikova, Donaldson, & Leveritt, 2011). The inability to access appropriate daily food choices reduces students' engagement and productivity, diminishing an individual's ability to learn, work, and care for themselves (Hughes et al.
Food insecurity is more than a distraction (Goldrick-Rab, Broton, & Eisenberg, 2015); it alters the HEI experience and makes an already difficult transitional time near impossible for students who otherwise are motivated to change their life course. These additional stresses lead to seeking and consuming nutritionally inadequate foods due to limited resources, compared to those identifying as food secure (Mello et al. Faculty and student affairs professionals make great efforts to develop environments supporting student success. As a faculty member, I often get frustrated with students who do not seem to "show up" to their academic responsibilities daily.
I think about the difficulty I have concentrating on a given task and I am well nourished; I have access to regular, adequate food choices. After taking a step back from the literature, I approached the issue from a more developed perspective. The issue of food insecurity and hunger was apparent among my daily interactions and job responsibilities 3 as a faculty member at a HEI, not just hidden among words and data in another journal article. My unique background allowed me to approach this issue in a new way.
Purpose of the Study The purpose of this qualitative narrative study was to make meaning of the experiences of three students who use a campus food pantry offered by a rural four-year public HEI in the Rocky Mountain region: Rocky Mountain Institution (RMI).