College Students & Hunger: How Massachusetts Campuses Are Responding
Ramen noodles aren’t cutting it anymore—hunger on campus is real.
When most people picture college life, they think of crowded dining halls, late-night study sessions, and endless cups of coffee. But for many students across Massachusetts, the reality also includes skipping meals, stretching dollars, and worrying about how to afford their next plate of food.
Food insecurity is on the rise at both community colleges and major universities. Between tuition, rent, textbooks, and transportation, the cost of getting an education is leaving many students without enough to eat.
The good news? Massachusetts campuses are stepping up to confront the issue.
The Reality of Student Hunger
Studies show that nearly four in ten students at two- and four-year colleges experience food insecurity at some point during their education. Rising housing costs and stagnant wages have only made the problem worse in Massachusetts.
Many students are:
-
Skipping meals to save money
-
Working long hours on top of full course loads
-
Facing unstable housing or even living in their cars
-
Supporting children or family members while in school
It’s a crisis hiding in plain sight, and it’s demanding creative solutions.
Campus Programs Fighting Back
Colleges and universities in Massachusetts are rolling out innovative programs to ensure students have access to nutritious meals and basic essentials.
-
On-Campus Food Pantries
Schools like UMass Amherst, Bunker Hill Community College, and Worcester State have created food pantries stocked with fresh produce, canned goods, and hygiene products—no questions asked. -
Swipe Share Programs
Some campuses allow students to donate unused meal swipes to classmates in need, a simple yet powerful way to keep peers nourished. -
Meal Voucher Initiatives
Through grants and local partnerships, campuses are distributing free or low-cost meal vouchers for dining halls and cafés. -
Food Assistance Hotlines and Apps
Mobile tools are making it easier for students to discreetly locate nearby pantries, community meal sites, and SNAP resources.
How You Can Help
Addressing student hunger isn’t just a campus issue—it’s a community issue. Here are a few ways to support:
-
Donate food, funds, or hygiene products to your local campus pantry
-
Share information about available resources so students know where to turn
-
Get involved in a campus hunger task force
-
Advocate for funding and policies that support student health and success
A Full Stomach Fuels Success
College is supposed to be about learning, growth, and opportunity—not hunger. By acknowledging the reality of student food insecurity and working together to fight it, Massachusetts campuses are giving students the fuel they need to thrive.
No student should ever have to choose between buying a textbook and buying a meal.
Let’s keep pushing for hunger-free campuses across the Bay State.
