Produce pop-ups to increase food accessibility among students

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Nutrition
• Higher Education

Background:

• Student food insecurity is a significant issue impacting health and wellness.
• Barriers to food accessibility, availability, utilization, and stability are under-researched.
• Effective initiatives are needed to address food insecurity among professional and graduate students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of a student-led produce pop-up initiative on food insecurity.
• To understand the challenges faced by students regarding food accessibility, availability, utilization, and stability.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of repurposing surplus food for student benefit.

Main Methods:

• A medical student-led initiative organized weekly produce pop-ups for students.
• Surplus produce was repurposed to increase the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Anonymous surveys with over 1000 responses were analyzed to gather feedback.

Main Results:

• Produce pop-ups successfully increased access to fresh produce for students.
• The initiative improved student physical and mental health and decreased food waste.
• Students reported enhanced at-home cooking, healthy eating, and social interaction.

Conclusions:

• Produce pop-ups are an innovative solution for improving student health and wellness.
• Academic institutions should monitor student food insecurity and collaborate with organizations to repurpose produce.
• Community-academic partnerships can effectively combat student food insecurity.