University Food Security Partnership

45% of Idaho college students are food insecure

College Students are Hungry, Too

The University Food Security Partnership brings together college staff and faculty of Idaho colleges and universities to address food insecurity on their campuses. At periodic meetings, participants:

  • Share updates on programs and activities aimed at reducing food insecurity among their student body

  • Learn about national programs such as the Swipe Out Hunger and the Hunger Free Campus initiatives

  • Explore potential collaborations to address hunger among college students

  • Discuss recently published research findings on food insecurity at universities

Interested in joining the group? Have an idea for a potential meeting topic? Email us at info@idahohunger.org

Swipe Out Hunger

College students who eat at the campus dining halls receive meal plan credits on their student IDs or meal cards. Each time they eat, they “swipe” their cards to deduct the cost of that meal.

Swipe Out Hunger allows students to donate unused meal swipes to students who are food insecure. Program specifics, such as where donated swipes can be redeemed vary by school.

The Hunger Free Campus Bill

The Hunger Free Campus Bill funds programs at public universities that address student hunger. The specific activities of this state-funded program vary by state.

Past Meeting Topics

Meeting topics include guest speakers on college food security topics or an opportunity for the universities to share updates via a round-robin.

  • Apr 25, 2024. Running on Empty: Food Insecurity in Collegiate Athletics. Jen Reader, Natalie Christensen, and Barbara Gordon, Idaho State University.

  • Feb 5, 2024. Swipe Out Hunger. Jaime Hansen, Executive Director of Swipe Out Hunger discussed their efforts to combat university food insecurity, and Kasey Giles, IHRTF AmeriCorps Vista, presented on potential National Nutrition Month activities to conduct on college campuses.

  • Sep 18, 2023. University of Idaho Food Security Program. Helen Brown, University of Idaho, provided an overview of her universities’ food security program which includes food literacy, food awareness, and supplemental food programs. 

  • Apr 10, 2023. Round Robin. University members shared updates on food security activities.