Ballantyne, Peri P
"The institution lets us exist, I would say, rather than wanting us to exist": Neoliberal influence on the experiences of post-secondary institution food support system operators
Research indicates that approximately one-third of post-secondary students experience food insecurity. However, there is limited research on engagement with those who organize alternative food support systems which seek to address post-secondary student food insecurity. Past studies on student food insecurity prioritize the experiences of those experiencing food insecurity, the barriers to food security and the consequences of food insecurity. Although important, research leaves out the voices of those who are attempting to support students. In this study, I aimed to gain a deeper understanding of how alternative food support services (AFSS) within Ontario post-secondary institutions seek to address student food insecurity through their programs. From six semi-structured interviews, I found that the most common barriers and facilitators to running the programs connect to key themes of neoliberalism. Specifically, responsibilization, institutional inaction (hands-off approach), and dependency on altruism/charity are evident in the experiences of program operators.
Author Keywords: Campus food systems, Charity model, Neoliberalism, Student food insecurity