Tag: Stigma

While campus food pantries have grown to over 700 nationwide, studies show that many food-insecure students still do not utilize these services. Addressing what is the biggest barrier to students using food resource programs on campus is crucial for improving student wellness and academic success.

According to a 2023 USDA report, 13.5% of US households were food insecure, and many struggle to access support. Understanding what are the barriers to food assistance programs is crucial for developing effective interventions and improving community health.

Studies have shown that relying on traditional food assistance can often lead to feelings of shame and dehumanization, undermining an individual's sense of self-worth. Understanding the true meaning of food dignity is crucial for building a more equitable and compassionate food system that focuses on the intrinsic value of every person.

Studies rooted in social psychology show that once a label is applied, it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, powerfully shaping an individual's actions and identity. This phenomenon reveals the profound way our perceptions of others and ourselves, influenced by how can labeling affect behavior, can dictate reality.