Document Type
Report
Publication Date
Fall 10-30-2025
Abstract
In New Mexico, 58% of college students experience some form of food insecurity. The College Food Insecurity Project—conducted by the University of New Mexico’s Division of Prevention and Population Sciences with support from the New Mexico Health Care Authority and USDA SNAP-Ed—examined how campus food pantries address student food needs across the state. Using a mixed-methods design, the study included semi-structured interviews with food pantry coordinators and staff at 13 institutions of higher education, on-site assessments using the Nutrition Environment Food Pantry Assessment Tool Plus (NEFPAT+), and content analysis of 15 college food pantry websites.
Findings revealed that campus food pantries are increasingly integrated into student support services but face persistent challenges related to funding, storage, and staffing. Common barriers to student access include stigma, transportation, and lack of kitchen facilities in dorms. Facilitators included committed staff, institutional investment, student employment, and partnerships with local food banks and farms. Strategies that helped reduce stigma and improve access included mobile distribution, flexible hours, minimal eligibility screening, privacy during visits, and inclusive messaging. NEFPAT+ assessments indicated room for improvement in offering a wider variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy products, and in establishing formal guidelines for food safety, nutrition, and customer service.
The study highlights the importance of sustainable funding, ongoing evaluation, and student-centered practices to reduce stigma, improve accessibility, and strengthen nutrition education and food security initiatives across New Mexico’s higher education institutions.
Recommended Citation
Vicuña, Belinda E.; Yvonnie V. Baik; Elena E. Martinez; Mahtab Soleimani; Camille R. Velarde; and Theresa H. Cruz. "New Mexico SNAP-Ed College Food Insecurity Report." (2025). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/prc-reports-documents/75