IV: Campuses Are Responding—But Capacity Is Under Strain
The number of campuses with food security programs continues to grow. As of the summer of 2026, over 1,000 campuses—accounting for roughly one in four degree-granting institutions across the United States—have partnered with Swipe Out Hunger to address food insecurity.
Food insecurity looks different on every campus, as do the resources, infrastructure, and capacity to address it. Common forms of food support include:
IV: Campuses Are Responding—But Capacity Is Under Strain
The number of campuses with food security programs continues to grow. As of the summer of 2026, over 1,000 campuses—accounting for roughly one in four degree-granting institutions across the United States—have partnered with Swipe Out Hunger to address food insecurity.
Food insecurity looks different on every campus, as do the resources, infrastructure, and capacity to address it. Common forms of food support include:
On-campus food pantries that provide free resources to students. While many of these pantries focus only on food, a number of them also provide hygiene products, baby care products, clothing, cookware, and other necessities.
Enrollment support for supplemental food programs like SNAP or CalFresh.
Meal swipe distribution programs, which allow students to donate unused campus dining credits to students who have run out of meal swipes or do not have a meal plan.
Small gift cards to local grocery stores or restaurants for students in immediate need of food.
Pre-prepared food bags for academic breaks to provide students with groceries, including holiday meal kits, while other campus resources are unavailable.
The immense impact of these programs is often in spite of limited and inconsistent resources.
$1,500
Median Estimated Program Budget
$11,000
Median Actual Program Cost
Over 40% of schools rely on donations as their primary funding source for food security resources.
“Being fortunate to continue to receive grants each year has allowed us to increase our food options and hygiene items on a regular basis. Without grants, such as the Swipe Grant, we would only be able to fund the essential food items weekly and would likely run out regularly.”
A Campus Administrator in Colorado
The immense impact of these programs is often in spite of limited and inconsistent resources.
Over 40% of schools rely on donations as their primary funding source for food security resources.