No Polícia, Mas Comida! Nourishing Minds, Not Policing Spaces
By Annalisa Myer
This piece is a part of our Spark Series Imagining Abolition and Educational Safety Beyond Policing
In the evolving landscape of higher education, the allocation of resources serves as a powerful indicator of an institution’s priorities. As colleges and universities strive to place student well-being and safety at the forefront of their mission, a shift is needed — one that advocates for a redistribution of funds away from traditional policing and towards addressing pressing issues like food insecurity. This essay explores the transformative potential of reallocating resources to prioritize food security, outlining the advantages of this approach for the holistic welfare and academic achievement of students. Additionally, it underscores the imperative of fostering community-based resources as a vital component of this shift in focus.
Rethinking Campus Security
Conventional approaches to campus security have long revolved around maintaining a visible police presence, a practice that has sometimes come to the detriment of students’ educational experiences and overall well-being. While the establishment of campus police was originally intended to bolster campus safety, concerns have surfaced regarding the unintended consequences of both over-policing and undue reliance on institutional judicial policies. These institutional policies often prioritize reporting instances of misconduct or criminal activity directly to campus police or external law enforcement agencies, inadvertently reinforcing the notion that police should serve as the primary authority to address such issues. This singular focus can discourage students and staff from exploring alternative avenues for conflict resolution within the campus community, such as restorative justice or mediation.
A line between security and surveillance can blur within this system, leading to the criminalization of student behavior that may not warrant police intervention. A poignant example of this occurred in 2011 when 15 students were apprehended during a demonstration against an impending tuition increase at Baruch College; public safety officers beat protestors with batons in the lobby of the campus building. Instances of racial profiling, discrimination, and excessive use of force by campus police further compound the problem, fostering distrust among students who, historically, experience disproportionately higher rates of profiling — a situation frequently faced by Black students, male students, and students with disabilities.
A critical evaluation of this system reveals that redirecting funds from policing towards initiatives that directly address students’ fundamental needs is not only visionary but imperative. With the persistent crisis of food insecurity among college students, reallocating resources to bolster nutritional food access can lead to tangible improvements in student life. Elected officials, such as city mayors, city council members, and county commissioners, wield significant influence in shaping budgetary decisions and reallocating resources across various social programs and initiatives; their engagement is essential in redirecting funding away from traditional campus policing and toward food security. For instance, the Professional Staff Congress and a coalition of CUNY advocates and state legislators recently unveiled Senate Bill S2146, which would restore a tuition-free university. The investment offers distinct possibilities for students facing food insecurity to redirect their expenditures towards essential needs and give precedence to their education.
Non-profit organizations, community organizers, and advocacy groups, such as the Black Trans Liberation Kitchen, also play a vital role in this process. Led and co-founded by costume designer and activist Qween Jean, the Black Trans Liberation Kitchen has two chief aims: encouraging food sovereignty among trans and gender non-conforming people and fostering a sense of shared responsibility within the greater LGBTQIA+ community. Nourishing, home-cooked, communal meals have been held weekly at Greenwich Village’s Judson Memorial Church since 2020 to empower and celebrate the trans and gender non-conforming community. Groups such as the Black Trans Liberation Kitchen can raise awareness about the challenges faced by marginalized communities and mobilize community stakeholders to rally behind these initiatives. By fostering collaborative efforts, community stakeholders can contribute to reshaping the priorities of higher education institutions, emphasizing the importance of nourishing the minds and bodies of all students, while providing a sense of social responsibility and accountability needed to retain the power of the people.
The Crisis of Food Insecurity
Food insecurity is a pressing concern that impacts the well-being of a wide range of individuals but especially students. For instance, research shows that food insecurity can compromise students’ long-term academic success, mental health, and overall quality of life with lower degree attainment and completion reported for students facing food insecurity. At the City University of New York (CUNY), the combination of increasing tuition costs, insufficient financial assistance, and the high cost of living further compound the economic hardships faced by students facing food insecurity, hindering their access to nutritious meals. Indeed, a 2022 survey found that about 40% of CUNY students — approximately 110,000 students across 25 campuses citywide — contend with “low” or “very low” food security, affecting their ability to focus on their studies. Yet students are still expected to attend classes, complete assignments, and balance part-time jobs, with little time for rest or proper sustenance to power through the day. In the heart of New York City, this is unacceptable.
While the pursuit of an advanced degree ideally should not necessitate students sacrificing their basic needs, hunger remains a reality for many in their educational journey. Late-night campus study sessions frequently compel students to miss meals or opt for more affordable food choices. College meal plans have become excessively costly, and the combination of food inflation and increased labor costs has created a troubling situation. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported a 10.8% increase in food prices in America in the past 12 months alone. Several universities across the country have implemented food pantries to help students struggling with food insecurity, with some success, including CUNY campuses such as Hunter College. At the Graduate Center, a food pantry in the 8th-floor Dining Commons was established for students to share a hot dinner and drinks. The pantry was created to pressure the administration to restore affordable, healthy dining services on campus. However, the pantry was abruptly closed at the beginning of the fall semester. Hundreds of dollars worth of food, a coffee machine, hot beverage supplies, and hand-made community banners and signs which previously hung in the Commons were seized and a community was greatly disrupted.
The issue of food insecurity serves as a compelling reminder that genuine educational well-being goes beyond physical safety. Shifting resources to prioritize food security can break this cycle, ensuring students have the vital nourishment necessary for their success.
Benefits of Prioritizing Food Security
Prioritizing food security among college campuses from an abolitionist perspective carries several significant benefits, aligning with the core principles of social justice. Colleges can ensure that all students, regardless of their socio-economic background or financial access, have access to nutritious meals. This helps level the playing field and promotes a more diverse and inclusive campus community. Students from underprivileged backgrounds can focus on their education rather than struggling to meet their basic needs. Such an approach is well-poised to enhance retention rates, elevate graduation rates, and ultimately result in improved educational achievements. For instance, a recent study published in 2023 demonstrated that adequate nutrition can boost cognitive function, leading to improved focus, memory retention, and academic performance across the lifespan.
Beyond the benefits apparent to students, prioritizing food security can catalyze more extensive systemic transformations within higher education institutions and improve the overall campus climate. Investing in initiatives like food pantries or meal assistance programs can reduce the stigma associated with seeking help, encouraging students to address their needs without shame. Alternatively, institutions of higher education might be encouraged to re-evaluate their budget priorities and funding allocation. Colleges that prioritize food security can create a sense of community by fostering an environment where students support one another, share resources, and work together to eliminate hunger.
Finally, abolitionist approaches recognize the interconnectedness of social issues. For instance, food security is often intertwined with issues like housing insecurity, racial injustice, and gender disparities. Prioritizing food security on campuses can serve as a starting point for addressing these issues and promoting a more holistic approach to social justice.
Investing in the Future: The Way Forward
Redirecting funds from traditional campus policing towards food security initiatives represents an investment in students’ futures. Universities can establish or expand food pantries, offer subsidized meal plans, and collaborate with local food banks to ensure accessible, nutritious options for all students. Bargaining agreements between universities and catering or local food chains can have a significant impact on where students can access affordable foods on or near campus. Many universities have on-campus dining facilities that offer a variety of meal plans to students and some universities have food courts or cafeterias that house a mix of food vendors, including both national chains and local eateries. Other universities have student-run eateries, cooperatives, or cafés that may offer more budget-friendly options. Universities might also consider partnering with local restaurants or food chains to provide discounts to students, creating variety. At CUNY, food pantries exist at 15 campuses to provide free food to food-insecure students and their families. Leveraging other community-based resources, such as the Black Trans Liberation Kitchen can also help target individuals historically excluded from higher education, including Black and LGBTQIA+ people. By embracing this approach, institutions can create a safer, more inclusive, and compassionate campus environment that empowers students to excel academically and personally.
Conclusion
The power of resource allocation cannot be understated. As college campuses confront the evolving landscape of student safety, a radical shift in priorities emerges — one that places food security at the forefront. By investing in nourishing minds over policing spaces, institutions not only address the immediate challenges of food insecurity but also lay the foundation for a campus environment that values the well-being and potential of every student. In this vision, education becomes a transformative force that uplifts and empowers, reflecting the true essence of learning and growth.
Annalisa Myer is a PhD student and graduate researcher at the Graduate Center-City University of New York (CUNY). Her work addresses socio-psychological questions related to race, identity, and belonging.
