By the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics

* The percentage of students who answered 'Yes' to the question, "Have you ever not eaten for a whole day because there wasn't enough money for food during the academic term?" 
2013: 24% answered yes - 7% indicated that it happens almost daily
2020: 24% answered yes - 6% indicated that it happens almost daily
2022: 39% answered yes - 13% indicated that it happens almost daily

2013:  Van den Berg L, Raubenheimer J, South African Journal of Clinical Nutritionr 2015;28(4): 160-169
2020:  UFS Food Environment Task Committee Report 
2022:  UFS Food Environment Task Committee Report (under review for publication) 
 
 

Three institution‑wide food security surveys were conducted at the University of the Free State in 2013, 2020 (before the COVID-19 lockdown), and in 2022. In the 2022 survey, 39% of students indicated that at some point during the previous three months of the academic year, they had gone without anything to eat for an entire day because they could not afford food, and 13% indicated that this is an almost daily occurrence. Data collected through the South African Survey of Student Engagement 2023 administration, an initiative involving the UFS Centre for Teaching and Learning, shows that among students who contemplated dropping out of university, 44% nationally, and 57% at the UFS, named food insecurity as a reason.
 

Contact us:

Institutional Advancement Office:
Nomhle Dorah Klaas
T: +27 51 401 7420
E: KlaasDN@ufs.ac.za

Student Affairs:
Annelize Visagie
T: +27 51 401 3258
E: visagiea@ufs.ac.za