A new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) highlights the pervasiveness of hunger on college campuses and its effect on college completion. Approximately one third of college students are food insecure. Low-income students and parents are particularly susceptible. This study provided an overview of 31 research studies completed over the past decade to try to capture the breadth and scale of the problem, as well as some of the solutions in place.
Later this year, Congress will negotiate reauthorization of the Higher Education Act and some Senators are calling for a broader approach to college affordability, going beyond tuition to include food and housing.
Brief article summarizing findings and how they might affect policy this year: https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2019/01/college-student-hunger/579877/
Full GAO report: https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-19-95