Student researchers Wanyu (Mary) Xiang and Amelia Koenig of the Agroecology, Climate Resilience, and Food Justice (ACRAF) Lab presented their work at the Sustainability & Environmental Justice Student Research Symposium on March 11, 2025. Their research highlighted critical disparities in food and housing security among Santa Clara University students, drawing from the 2023 Food Security and Basic Needs Survey (800+ respondents). Key findings include:
- 28% of students experienced food insecurity, with disproportionately higher rates among marginalized groups:
- African American/Black (30%), Latiné (28%), and first-generation students (44%).
- First-generation students face twice the food insecurity rate of their peers and 1.5x higher housing insecurity.
These disparities underscore the urgent need for institutional action to create a more equitable, sustainable, and just campus—especially as marginalized communities bear the brunt of climate crises.
Progress & Challenges: The Basic Needs Committee
In response to ACRAF Lab’s earlier research, SCU established the Basic Needs Committee (2023–24), uniting students, staff, and faculty to develop an action plan. While progress has been made (e.g., hiring a Basic Needs Coordinator), the 2023 survey revealed critical gaps:
- Only 40% of students know about the Basic Needs Program (Bronco Food Pantry, etc.).
- Among food-insecure students, awareness drops to 38% (vs. 42% of food-secure peers).
To address this, the Committee has formed three working groups this year to advance targeted outreach, policy recommendations, and institutional support.
Innovation in Action: Food Recovery & Advocacy
- SCU Food Alert Slack Channel: Launched by ACRAF Lab member Mary Xiang, this platform centralizes food recovery and mutual aid efforts, mobilizing students, staff, and faculty. Join here!
- ASG Resolution S.R. 8 (2025): Co-authored by Xiang, this resolution pushes to:
- Expand resources for students in need.
- Destigmatize conversations about basic needs insecurity.
- Increase awareness of existing support systems.
At the ACRAF Lab, we turn research into action. Our findings expose systemic gaps in basic needs security—but we don’t stop there. We push for institutional change (Basic Needs Committee), build grassroots solutions (Food Alert Slack), and amplify student voices (ASG Resolution).
Here’s how you can be part of the movement:
- Join the SCU Food Alert Slack to redistribute surplus food and support peers.
- Demand institutional action: Read and share S.R. 8 with faculty and administrators.
- Stay informed: Follow our work—because data without mobilization changes nothing.
Hunger is a policy choice. Together, we can rewrite the rules