Bill Overview
Title: Food for Thought Act of 2022
Description: This bill allows the Department of Education to award grants for eligible institutions of higher education to provide free meals to low-income students through on-campus meal programs.
Sponsors: Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-28]
Target Audience
Population: Postsecondary students experiencing food insecurity
Estimated Size: 4000000
- The bill targets low-income students at eligible institutions of higher education.
- Data from NCES shows that there are about 20 million students enrolled in postsecondary institutions in the U.S.
- About 20% of college students in the U.S. experience food insecurity, based on various studies and reports.
- The bill would most likely impact students at public and some private institutions that choose to participate in the program.
- Globally, while there are estimated to be about 220 million higher education students, this specific bill is targeted to the U.S. context.
Reasoning
- The target population is low-income students at higher education institutions who are food insecure. Considering the budget and the breadth of postsecondary institutions in the U.S., the policy is likely to impact millions of students, although this is contingent on the participation of institutions and the definition of 'low-income'.
- Since food insecurity impacts students' mental and physical health, providing free meals through on-campus meal programs is likely to improve their wellbeing and academic performance.
- Assuming roughly 4 million students experiencing food insecurity could benefit from this policy, depending on how many institutions participate and students qualify, the budget needs to cover the costs efficiently.
- We should include people who are part of or closely related to the college community, such as students, faculty, and staff, as well as those not directly impacted for a broader perspective.
- This policy will likely have varying levels of impact, with students directly receiving meals experiencing the highest impact.
Simulated Interviews
college student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 20 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I often skip meals to save on costs, which is really impacting my energy levels and concentration in classes.
- This policy would help me focus on my studies without worrying about where my next meal comes from.
- I'm hopeful this program allows more low-income students like myself to thrive in college.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
college student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a student juggling work and school, I sometimes can't afford balanced meals.
- Free meals on campus would significantly alleviate my financial stress and improve my diet.
- I'm concerned about how long the program will last and if all students in need can access it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
college student (Miami, FL)
Age: 19 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Living independently, managing food and school expenses is a constant struggle for me.
- This policy could allow me to put more focus on my studies and career plans.
- I support the initiative, but I hope it doesn't miss out on non-traditional students like those at community colleges.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
college graduate (New York, NY)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I faced food insecurity throughout college, which affected my studies and health significantly.
- It's encouraging that this generation might not face the same issues I did thanks to this policy.
- This kind of support can create a more level playing field for underprivileged students.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
college student (Austin, TX)
Age: 21 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm fortunate to have family support, but I know many peers who struggle with meals.
- Free campus meals would mean students could prioritize school over work, enhancing academic experiences.
- This program could transform the college experience for many low-income students.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
graduate student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Graduate students often face the same financial issues as undergraduates.
- Free meals would relieve a major part of my budget concerns.
- It's crucial that grad students are included in this policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
part-time instructor (Denver, CO)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As someone who struggled with food insecurity during my own college years, I see this policy as vital.
- It could ensure students are better focused and healthier both mentally and physically.
- I hope all eligible students are made aware and can utilize this opportunity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
university administrator (Boston, MA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aligns with our initiatives to support low-income students.
- Ensuring food security can help retain students and improve overall performance.
- Implementation might be challenging but it's crucial for student wellbeing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
college student (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 26 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Managing budget with tuition and living costs is tough, and food is often a low priority.
- Free meals would make transferring more feasible as it reduces costs significantly.
- I hope institutions do not bureaucratize access to these meals, keeping it straightforward.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
doctoral student (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Doctoral students have tight budgets, and this policy could reduce stress significantly.
- It would allow me to focus more on research and community activities without meal concerns.
- Continued funding and simplicity in using the program are vital for its success.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $8300000000 (Low: $7500000000, High: $9500000000)
Year 2: $8350000000 (Low: $7550000000, High: $9550000000)
Year 3: $8400000000 (Low: $7600000000, High: $9600000000)
Year 5: $8500000000 (Low: $7700000000, High: $9700000000)
Year 10: $8700000000 (Low: $7900000000, High: $9900000000)
Year 100: $10000000000 (Low: $9000000000, High: $11000000000)
Key Considerations
- The cost per student significantly influences overall expenditure, varying with food cost fluctuations.
- Eligibility criteria could affect the scale of the program and costs, based on how 'low-income' students and 'eligible institutions' are defined.