Food Insecurity and Academic Performance Among Marginalised Students: A Qualitative Study at a University

Globally, between 20% and 58% of university students experience food insecurity, particularly those from low-income and underprivileged households. Structural inequality stemming from apartheid in South Africa meant that food insecurity among South African university students was particularly prevalent. This study aimed to investigate food insecurity, its effects on academic performance, and students’ access to institutional programmes. To do so, 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted with food-insecure students at a university in the Western Cape using a snowball sampling method. Analysis revealed that 14 of the 15 respondents received insufficient funds, and that the R1500 monthly food allowance provided by NSFAS was insufficient. Coping strategies included skipping meals (7 of 15), getting food from friends and peers (6 of 15), and part-time work (5 of 15). These coping strategies had academic consequences: twelve of 15 students reported decreased concentration and 8 of 15 reported decreased studying as a result of these strategies. Five participants skipped classes to work in order to purchase food, and 9 of 15 participants were not aware of the food access programmes offered through the university. For the 6 participants who knew of these resources, the bureaucratic delays of service, restrictive eligibility requirements, and not knowing what service was offered were the main impediments. The paper discusses food insecurity as a structural problem that has systemic causes, based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Bourdieu’s concept of cultural capital. The solutions recommended included food vouchers, subsidised cafeteria options, better communication of meal programmes, and extended hours of the meal programmes. This study contributes to understanding food insecurity in relation to education equity in post-apartheid South Africa.