In its first major assessment of hunger among United States college students, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found in 2018 that federal agencies were failing not only to accurately measure the prevalence of student food insecurity, but they were also failing to provide adequate information for students to find help. In response, the 2020 U.S. Department of Education’s National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:20) added new questions to its student survey, marking the nation’s first comprehensive data set specifically focused on the postsecondary population. The results indicated a critical level of need: An estimated 23% of all postsecondary students, or 3.8 million, experienced food insecurity in 2020. Yet four years later, in an update to its original report, the GAO found little change in the percentage of food-insecure students who received public help via the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

House Bill 827 from the 2024 Session of the General Assembly directs the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) to survey each public institution of higher education to identify how each addresses food insecurity, then use its findings to provide guidance and recommendations to institutions and the General Assembly. SCHEV convened an advisory group to aid in creating a survey questionnaire, which was subsequently released in July 2024. The survey data, in addition to a review of current literature and guidance resources targeting postsecondary institutions, informed this report and the recommendations herein.

Summary of Recommendations: Recent legislation in Virginia has significantly grown the menu of resources available to public institutions as they work to mitigate food insecurity among their students. However, a silo effect within institutions combined with an overwhelming number of changes – some temporary, some permanent – at both the state and federal level have stymied institutions from taking advantage of all available opportunities. Both institutions and state policymakers should work to increase the quality and frequency of collaboration with state and local agencies to provide more Virginia students with access to much-needed resources.

This report includes more detailed recommendations for consideration by both postsecondary institutions and lawmakers. Appendices include additional resources for institutional reference, as well as a more detailed description of survey data.  This report Includes the reporting requirements for Item 132.S. of the 2024 Appropriation Act.