[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Running on empty: Food insecurity at Ohio State and beyond” title_tablet=”Running on empty: Food insecurity at Ohio State and beyond” title_phone=”Running on empty: Food insecurity at Ohio State and beyond” title_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#000000″ title_font_size=”50px” animation_style=”slide” text_shadow_style=”preset1″ text_shadow_color=”#B3B3B3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text content_tablet=”<\/p>\n
By Emma Dawson | Patricia B. Miller Special Projects Reporter<\/p>\n
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By Emma Dawson | Patricia B. Miller Special Projects Reporter<\/p>\n
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By Emma Dawson | Patricia B. Miller Special Projects Reporter<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.thelantern.com\/projects\/files\/2025\/01\/Cover-photo.jpg” title_text=”Cover photo” src_tablet=”https:\/\/www.thelantern.com\/projects\/files\/2025\/01\/Cover-photo.jpg” src_phone=”https:\/\/www.thelantern.com\/projects\/files\/2025\/01\/Cover-photo.jpg” src_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text content_tablet=”Credit: Nevaeh Repp | Design Editor” content_phone=”Credit: Nevaeh Repp | Design Editor” content_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”–et_global_body_font||||||||” text_text_color=”#C5242C” text_font_size=”13px” global_colors_info=”{}”]Credit: Nevaeh Repp | Design Editor[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”–et_global_body_font||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_tablet=”–et_global_body_font||||||||” text_font_phone=”–et_global_body_font||||||||” text_font_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The automatic doors squeak open, and the fluorescent lights are an immediate contrast to the outdoor atmosphere. It takes a minute to adjust.<\/p>\n
Straight past the vibrant reds, yellows and greens of the produce section, the average college student heads into the deeper aisles of the local grocery store.<\/p>\n
They stop to stare at the wall of dried noodles, packs of rice and cans of beans. It\u2019s looking like another week of eating the same bland, shelf-stable, cholesterol-raising, time-saving dishes for every meal. It\u2019s unappealing.<\/p>\n
But it\u2019s $3.99 for a pound of apples. They\u2019ll go bad before they\u2019re all eaten. It\u2019s $3.99 for a twelve-pack of ramen noodles. That will serve as 12 whole meals. The choice is easy.<\/p>\n
This tedious internal dialogue is the reality for not only many college students, but for millions of people in the United States, where over one in every 10 households is food insecure.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”–et_global_body_font||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
According to the United States Department of Agriculture<\/a><\/span>, 18 million households in the United States dealt with food insecurity in 2023.<\/p>\n Narrowing the scope to Ohio State\u2019s main campus, the numbers are even more severe. A 2024 survey conducted by the Office of Student Life found that nearly one out of every three Buckeyes is food insecure, which is nearly three times the national average.<\/p>\n Food insecurity is officially defined as \u201ca household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food,\u201d according to the USDA.<\/p>\n Some might think \u201cadequate food\u201d simply means having enough food to keep their stomachs full, but being food secure encompasses more than having access to regular meals. Mike Hochron, senior vice president of communications at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, said the nutritional value \u2014 or lack thereof \u2014 of the food one consumes is a core factor.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.thelantern.com\/projects\/files\/2025\/01\/produce-wall.jpg” alt=”A wall of fresh produce at Giant Eagle, a supermarket located near Ohio State’s campus at 2801 N. High St. Credit: Emma Dawson | Patricia B. Miller Special Projects Reporter” title_text=”produce wall” align=”center” src_tablet=”https:\/\/www.thelantern.com\/projects\/files\/2025\/01\/produce-wall.jpg” src_phone=”https:\/\/www.thelantern.com\/projects\/files\/2025\/01\/produce-wall.jpg” src_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|||0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text content_tablet=”<\/p>\n A wall of fresh produce at Giant Eagle, a supermarket located near Ohio State’s campus at 2801 N. High St. Credit: Emma Dawson | Patricia B. Miller Special Projects Reporter<\/p>\n ” content_phone=”<\/p>\n A wall of fresh produce at Giant Eagle, a supermarket located near Ohio State’s campus at 2801 N. High St. Credit: Emma Dawson | Patricia B. Miller Special Projects Reporter<\/p>\n ” content_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#c5242c” text_font_size=”13px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A wall of fresh produce at Giant Eagle, a supermarket located near Ohio State’s campus at 2801 N. High St. Credit: Emma Dawson | Patricia B. Miller Special Projects Reporter<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text content_tablet=”<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the recognition that food, it\u2019s not just about hunger,\u201d Hochron said. \u201cWe\u2019re not just dealing with food insecurity; we\u2019re dealing with nutritional security.\u201d<\/p>\n ” content_phone=”<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the recognition that food, it\u2019s not just about hunger,\u201d Hochron said. \u201cWe\u2019re not just dealing with food insecurity; we\u2019re dealing with nutritional security.\u201d<\/p>\n ” content_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”–et_global_body_font||on||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”32px” text_line_height=”1.5em” text_orientation=”center” animation_style=”slide” text_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ text_text_shadow_color=”#B3B3B3″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the recognition that food, it\u2019s not just about hunger,\u201d Hochron said. \u201cWe\u2019re not just dealing with food insecurity; we\u2019re dealing with nutritional security.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.thelantern.com\/projects\/files\/2025\/01\/noodles.jpg” alt=”The noodle section at Giant Eagle, a supermarket near Ohio State’s campus located at 2801 N. High St. Credit: Emma Dawson | Patricia B. Miller Special Projects Reporter” title_text=”noodles” align=”center” src_tablet=”https:\/\/www.thelantern.com\/projects\/files\/2025\/01\/noodles.jpg” src_phone=”https:\/\/www.thelantern.com\/projects\/files\/2025\/01\/noodles.jpg” src_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”–et_global_body_font||||||||” text_text_color=”#C5242C” text_font_size=”13px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The noodle section at Giant Eagle, a supermarket near Ohio State’s campus located at 2801 N. High St. Credit: Emma Dawson | Patricia B. Miller Special Projects Reporter<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”–et_global_body_font||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_orientation_tablet=”” text_orientation_phone=”” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Pre-packaged, shelf-stable food items \u2014 which people typically gravitate toward when their budget is limited \u2014 do not fall under the \u201cnutritional\u201d category because they are ultimately not beneficial to the human body, Dena Champion, a certified nutrition support clinician at the Wexner Medical Center, said in an email.<\/p>\n \u201cHighly processed foods generally contain high amounts of added sugars, salt, and saturated fat, all of which should be consumed in moderation only,\u201d Champion said. \u201cOver time, high amounts of highly processed foods can set someone up for the possibility of developing chronic diseases like heart disease and cancers.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition, a lack of access to nutritious food negatively affects more than just one\u2019s physical health.<\/p>\n Several food insecurity studies, including work by Van Woerden et al.<\/a><\/span> and Brescia and Cuite<\/a><\/span>, have found that a lack of nutrients is directly related to poorer concentration, which is linked to decreases in GPA. A study<\/a><\/span> by Phillips et al. found students experiencing food insecurity are 3 1\/2 times more likely than their food-secure peers to consider dropping out of school and three times more likely to neglect academics in favor of earning money to support themselves.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”The Ohio State study” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”–et_global_heading_font|600|||||||” title_text_color=”#000000″ title_font_size=”48px” animation_style=”slide” title_font_tablet=”–et_global_heading_font||||||||” title_font_phone=”–et_global_heading_font|700|||||||” title_font_last_edited=”on|phone” title_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ title_text_shadow_color=”#B3B3B3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text content_tablet=”In Ohio State\u2019s 2024 Student Life survey, participants were asked to rank two statements on a scale of \u201cnever true,\u201d \u201csometimes true\u201d or \u201coften true.\u201d<\/p>\n The provided statements were \u201cWithin the past month, I was worried whether my food would run out before I got money to buy more\u201d and \u201cWithin the past month, the food I bought just did not last and I did not have money to get more.\u201d<\/p>\n Those who selected \u201csometimes true\u201d or \u201coften true\u201d for at least one of these prompts were included in the food insecure measure, Chrisse Edmunds, an associate director of the Center for the Study of Student Life, said in an email.<\/p>\n After the data was weighted to be more representative of Ohio State\u2019s full student population, it was estimated that 32% of Ohio State undergraduate, graduate and professional students are food insecure, Edmunds said.” content_phone=”In Ohio State\u2019s 2024 Student Life survey, participants were asked to rank two statements on a scale of \u201cnever true,\u201d \u201csometimes true\u201d or \u201coften true.\u201d<\/p>\n The provided statements were \u201cWithin the past month, I was worried whether my food would run out before I got money to buy more\u201d and \u201cWithin the past month, the food I bought just did not last and I did not have money to get more.\u201d<\/p>\n Those who selected \u201csometimes true\u201d or \u201coften true\u201d for at least one of these prompts were included in the food insecure measure, Chrisse Edmunds, an associate director of the Center for the Study of Student Life, said in an email.<\/p>\n After the data was weighted to be more representative of Ohio State\u2019s full student population, it was estimated that 32% of Ohio State undergraduate, graduate and professional students are food insecure, Edmunds said.” content_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”–et_global_body_font||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In Ohio State\u2019s 2024 Student Life survey, student participants were asked to rank two statements on a scale of \u201cnever true,\u201d \u201csometimes true\u201d or \u201coften true.\u201d<\/p>\n The provided statements were \u201cWithin the past month, I was worried whether my food would run out before I got money to buy more\u201d and \u201cWithin the past month, the food I bought just did not last and I did not have money to get more.\u201d<\/p>\n Those who selected \u201csometimes true\u201d or \u201coften true\u201d for at least one of these prompts were considered as food insecure, Chrisse Edmunds, an associate director of the Center for the Study of Student Life, said in an email.<\/p>\n After the data was weighted to be more representative of Ohio State\u2019s Columbus campus student population, it was estimated that 32% of Ohio State undergraduate, graduate and professional students are food insecure, Edmunds said.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.thelantern.com\/projects\/files\/2025\/01\/Luckys.jpg” alt=”Lucky’s Market, located at 2770 N. High St. in Clintonville, is one place many Ohio State students visit to shop for groceries. Credit: Emma Dawson | Patricia B. Miller Special Projects Reporter” title_text=”Lucky’s” align=”center” src_tablet=”https:\/\/www.thelantern.com\/projects\/files\/2025\/01\/Luckys.jpg” src_phone=”https:\/\/www.thelantern.com\/projects\/files\/2025\/01\/Luckys.jpg” src_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#C5242C” text_font_size=”13px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Lucky’s Market, located at 2770 N. High St. in Clintonville, is one place many Ohio State students visit to shop for groceries. Credit: Emma Dawson | Patricia B. Miller Special Projects Reporter<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text content_tablet=”Krista Blair \u2014 director of fundraising for Buckeye Food Alliance, a food pantry that provides Ohio State students with fresh produce, pantry staples and more \u2014 said not knowing where your next meal will come from can cause long-lasting mental strain.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s something that can follow you into adulthood,\u201d Bair, also a second-year in computer science and engineering, said. \u201cIt doesn’t matter how much money you could be making or how much you can plan; you’ll always be worried about where your next meal is coming from, and you feel that you need to ration things or save things.\u201d<\/p>\n Hochron said another misconception about food insecurity is that only those who are living at or below the official, state-wide poverty line need assistance from food banks and pantries. This, he said, is completely untrue. <\/p>\n \u201cGuess what? Being $1 above that poverty level does not actually mean that life is easy and great,\u201d Hochron said. \u201cIn fact, it just means that you are $3 above %91being%93 unable to meet those most basic core needs.\u201d<\/p>\n Bair said this feeling of not being \u201cbad enough off\u201d can create a large barrier for people who are considering searching for assistance with food.” content_phone=”Krista Blair \u2014 director of fundraising for Buckeye Food Alliance, a food pantry that provides Ohio State students with fresh produce, pantry staples and more \u2014 said not knowing where your next meal will come from can cause long-lasting mental strain.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s something that can follow you into adulthood,\u201d Bair, also a second-year in computer science and engineering, said. \u201cIt doesn’t matter how much money you could be making or how much you can plan; you’ll always be worried about where your next meal is coming from, and you feel that you need to ration things or save things.\u201d<\/p>\n Hochron said another misconception about food insecurity is that only those who are living at or below the official, state-wide poverty line need assistance from food banks and pantries. This, he said, is completely untrue. <\/p>\n \u201cGuess what? Being $1 above that poverty level does not actually mean that life is easy and great,\u201d Hochron said. \u201cIn fact, it just means that you are $3 above %91being%93 unable to meet those most basic core needs.\u201d<\/p>\n Bair said this feeling of not being \u201cbad enough off\u201d can create a large barrier for people who are considering searching for assistance with food.” content_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”–et_global_body_font||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Krista Bair \u2014 director of fundraising for Buckeye Food Alliance, a food pantry that provides Ohio State students with fresh produce, pantry staples and more \u2014 said not knowing where your next meal will come from can cause long-lasting mental strain.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s something that can follow you into adulthood,\u201d Bair, also a second-year in computer science and engineering, said. \u201cIt doesn’t matter how much money you could be making or how much you can plan; you’ll always be worried about where your next meal is coming from, and you feel that you need to ration things or save things.\u201d<\/p>\n Hochron said another misconception about food insecurity is that only those who are living at or below the official, state-wide poverty line need assistance from food banks and pantries. This, he said, is completely untrue.<\/p>\n \u201cGuess what? Being $1 above that poverty level does not actually mean that life is easy and great,\u201d Hochron said. \u201cIn fact, it just means that you are $3 above [being] unable to meet those most basic core needs.\u201d<\/p>\n Bair said this feeling of not being \u201cbad enough off\u201d can create a large barrier for people who are considering searching for assistance with food.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text content_tablet=”\u201cWe’ve had a few occasions where people will come into the pantry, and they will apologize or they’ll be upset, and they’ll be like, \u2018I’m so sorry. I feel like I don’t deserve this,\u2019\u201d Bair said. \u201cIf you need help, please ask for it and do not be embarrassed because there’s nothing wrong with saying you need an extra hand.\u201d” content_phone=”\u201cWe’ve had a few occasions where people will come into the pantry, and they will apologize or they’ll be upset, and they’ll be like, \u2018I’m so sorry. I feel like I don’t deserve this,\u2019\u201d Bair said. \u201cIf you need help, please ask for it and do not be embarrassed because there’s nothing wrong with saying you need an extra hand.\u201d” content_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”–et_global_body_font||on||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”32px” text_line_height=”1.5em” text_orientation=”center” animation_style=”slide” text_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ text_text_shadow_color=”#B3B3B3″ global_colors_info=”{}”]\u201cWe’ve had a few occasions where people will come into the pantry, and they will apologize or they’ll be upset, and they’ll be like, \u2018I’m so sorry. I feel like I don’t deserve this,\u2019\u201d Bair said. \u201cIf you need help, please ask for it and do not be embarrassed because there’s nothing wrong with saying you need an extra hand.\u201d[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n