Contact:
Bob Spieldenner
bobspieldenner@schev.edu
(804) 718-9443 (cell)

RICHMOND - The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) released a report today on campus food insecurity. House Bill 827 directed SCHEV to survey each public institution of higher education to identify how each addresses food insecurity.

SCHEV made the following recommendations based upon survey findings:

For Institutions:

• Normalize asking for and accepting help.
• Involve students in the development and implementation of campus services.
• Leverage existing legislation and funding to grow on-campus supports.

For the General Assembly:

• Increase state support for direct partnerships between public institutions of higher education and the Virginia Department of Social Services.
• Invest in growing access to tested, effective services for students across institutions.
• Work with federal partners and policymakers to increase state flexibility for SNAP.

In addition, the report includes resources for institutions including toolkits, sample forms, SNAP information and links to additional research.

A recent federal report found that 23% of students in higher education nationwide experienced food insecurity.

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