Food insecurity among college students is a rising issue in the United States, particularly among international students. These students often face unique challenges in accessing and preparing food as they adapt to life in a new country. Many college campuses provide food assistance programs, including pantries and other free food resources. However, the effectiveness of these programs in reducing food insecurity depends on their full utilization. International students, in particular, often encounter barriers that limit their utilization of these resources. Despite their significance, these challenges remain under-researched and require further investigation. This study aimed to examine the barriers international students attending Oklahoma State University (OSU) face in accessing free food resources both on and off campus.

The findings highlight the challenges international college students experience in accessing and utilizing free food resources on and off campus. College campuses may aim to address these logistical and nutritional concerns by providing resources that better suit international student cultural food needs and adjusting operational hours to better suit students’ schedules.