O16 Farm-to-Fork on a College Campus: Evaluating Impact of Free Weekly Meals on Dietary Habits and Meal Planning Behaviors

Background College food insecurity impacts a significant number of students, potentially having a negative effect on academic success, physical and mental health, and/or wellness. For this reason, interventions that address college food insecurity are vital. Objective To evaluate the demographics and food security status of students utilizing the Farm-to-Fork free weekly lunch initiative at a large land-grant institution and to assess the meal planning and dietary habits of these college students. Study Design, Setting, Participants A 3-semester, cross-sectional study collecting online survey responses from a convenience sample of students participating in the Farm-to-Fork free weekly lunch program. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Primary survey data was used in Pearson chi-square tests to analyze the associations between food security status, demographics, behaviors, and program evaluation findings. Results The survey response rate was 31%. Of the 397 students who completed the online survey, 61% reported experiencing some level of food insecurity with only 13% utilizing campus or community resources to access food. Food security status was significantly associated with daily consumption of 5 food groups (P  Conclusion The Farm-to-Fork program provides students with a free well-balanced lunch and educational resources to address issues surrounding college food insecurity and to support student success and wellness. However, there is a need to improve students’ eating habits and utilization of resources for food in times of crisis. Funding University of Kentucky Student Opportunity Grant from The Food Connection, University of Kentucky Student Sustainability Council Grant.