Document Type

Paper

Publication Date

4-23-2025

Faculty Mentor

Brieanne Berry

Abstract

Food insecurity and waste are intersecting issues that we address in our dual-part research project. The CERCLE team, Isabella Dolan, Danielle Monaco, and Greyson Fusco, directed by Dr. Brie Berry and assisted by Lauren Davis, have conducted research over the past two years to understand the extent of food insecurity at Ursinus College. We distributed a survey via Qualtrics to students, asking about their experiences with accessing food on campus. We learned that food insecurity has an equal impact across all demographics. To capture the complete picture, we utilized quota sampling to interview twelve students to further understand their complex experiences with food access on campus.

Furthermore, we’ve developed an action plan to utilize Canvas as a notification system for surplus food at campus events. As a continuation of our capstone project, this solution addresses both food waste and food insecurity by lowering access barriers to free food for students. The program is a free system sustained by “Food Rescue Champions”, willing students and faculty who will post announcements to notify the campus where the event is happening and how much food is available. This program is modeled after the successful Free Food on Campus (FFOC) program at LaSalle University.

Comments

Presented as part of the Ursinus College Celebration of Student Achievement (CoSA) held April 23, 2025.

The downloadable file is a poster.

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