Process evaluation of a university food recovery program.

Objective

Evaluate a university food recovery program to identify logistical and personal barriers and explore students' perceptions.

Participants

Registered members (∼750) of a campus food pantry at a large, Midwestern public institution were recruited.

Methods

A cross-sectional, online-based survey was administered in November 2025 and included both qualitative and quantitative questions assessing program participation, perceived effectiveness, and student feedback. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were utilized.

Results

Sixty-eight students completed the survey; 31 reported picking up food from the program at least once. Most students (26/31) provided positive experiences, particularly with food quality and amount of food received. The most common reasons for nonparticipation were students being off-campus, inconvenient timing, and late email alerts.

Conclusions

Universities should adopt food recovery programs as they are feasible to implement and are well-received by students. Effective marketing with tailored communication, timely alerts and ongoing evaluation is an essential component.