Date

5-2024

Document Type

Capstone Project (Open Access)

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Department

Liberal Studies

Major

Liberal Studies

First Advisor

Patty Whang

Abstract

The focus issue addressed in this Capstone Project is the presence of food insecurity throughout a county on the coast of California and what can be done to improve it. This issue is important because of the negative impact that food insecurity has on students' health, development, and academics. An evidence-based argument is offered that public education has a responsibility to address food insecurity through its institutions as a means of supporting students' academic and developmental success. The stakeholder perspectives chosen were of 1 individual working as a Community Partnership Coordinator for a local food aid organization, one individual who experienced years of childhood food insecurity, and one individual who has years of experience in school food distribution. Through a thorough analysis of interviews and relevant research, three action options emerged and were explored as ways to address the issue. These included (1) Backpack Food Programs, (2) Mobile Food Pantries, and (3) Awareness; destigmatize food insecurity and educate families on available resources. Through this Capstone project, the researcher has identified partnering with outside organizations to set up mobile food pantries at schools as being the most effective way of achieving the goal of supporting student development by increasing food security.

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