While most universities operate food banks for students, these initiatives are increasingly coming under pressure amid financial challenges facing the higher education sector, it has been warned. 

Academics at Brunel University of London conducted a 20-month study of 41 English universities, finding that 63 per cent of these institutions operated a food bank. 

It comes as students face growing cost-of-living pressures, with maintenance loans often falling short of covering their accommodation costs – leaving students with “little or no money” remaining for other expenses. 

“As financial support for students has been stripped back, and multiple university services, notably accommodation and catering, have been marketised, students are facing higher costs beyond those of food and energy prompted by the cost-of-living crisis,” the report says. 

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One university staff member told researchers that food poverty is the “biggest” on-campus issue affecting student engagement and mental health.

“For international students in particular, food prices can be shocking and unexpected,” the report notes. “The cost of fresh fruit and vegetables for a healthy balanced diet is keenly felt, leading to a less desirable diet of cheaper processed foods.”

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Researchers found most universities offer free food via different schemes, with food banks and vouchers the most common.  

But the report notes that, as universities are experiencing increased financial strain and pressure, this free food provision is “shifting”. In particular, offers of free meals “for all” and localised schemes through academic departments have been curbed. 

“There is a very real cost of providing free food at universities, with funding varying from one institution to another,” said Emma Wainwright, a human geographer in the department of education at Brunel and co-author of the report.

“Staff at the universities we spoke to pointed to the cost of running these schemes and how they are not viable in the longer term.”

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The report also notes that students are often ashamed of accessing the free food on offer and were concerned that doing so could be noted on their student record. 

International students reported mixed views about food banks – some “expressed concern that they were taking support away from home students while others felt that, given their higher fees and lack of close familial support, they were in greater need of provision”.

The report says that while universities are experiencing financial challenges, “there is a need to recognise just how central food support is to the ability of many students to successfully access and engage with their studies”. 

It goes on to warn that free food is a “quick fix” rather than a long-term solution to the problems of student poverty. It says there is an “urgent need” for policymakers to “address student finance to ensure the alleviation of food poverty”.

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helen.packer@timeshighereducation.com