Lehman Students Struggle to Access Affordable Healthy Food on and off Campus

Photo of Nutritionist Dina R. D'Alessandro, MS, RDN, CDN
Credit: https://dishwithdina.com/about/‍ ‍

By Jainabou Sakho

Students at Lehman College in the Bronx say accessing affordable, healthy food remains a major challenge, as rising costs and limited options push many toward cheaper, less nutritious meals. This issue affects students both on campus and in surrounding neighborhoods, where fast food is often more accessible than fresh, healthy alternatives.

“I don’t think healthy food is available in all neighborhoods,” said Dilainy Iona, a Lehman student. “It’s super expensive, so even if you travel to get it, you have to come out of pocket.”

According to a report from the New York State Comptroller, food costs in the NYC metropolitan area rose by 56.2% between 2012 and 2023, which was higher than the national increase. The report also found that households making less than $15,000 spent almost 70% of their income on food in 2022–23. These rising costs contribute to food insecurity and show how economic inequality can affect people’s health and access to nutritious food.

Lehman College nutritionist and adjunct lecturer Dina D’Alessandro explained that the issue goes beyond individual behavior and reflects broader systemic problems. “Anything having to do with equity and accessibility comes from the top down,” she said. “Some neighborhoods have more access to healthy foods, while others don’t—and then people are blamed for the choices they make.”

D’Alessandro also pointed out that processed foods are often cheaper because they are mass-produced and contain additives that extend shelf life. In contrast, fresh foods spoil quickly and are more expensive to produce and distribute. “It becomes a cycle,” she explained. “The cheaper foods are less nutritious, but they’re the most available.”

Another Lehman student, Emmanuel Nyamekye, admits that he tries to prioritize healthier eating despite the cost. “Even though it can get expensive, that doesn’t really stop me,” he said. “I go for foods like chicken, vegetables, and potatoes because I can stretch them for days…it supports my goals and keeps me consistent.”

“It becomes a cycle. The cheaper foods are less nutritious, but they’re the most available.” - Dina D’Alessandro, Nutritionist and Adjunct Lecturer

Farmer’s Fridge, a vending machine prevalent on campus, tries to promote convenient, healthy eating. However, almost no students use the machine, which is most likely due to the high prices. For instance, a simple Greek salad costs $8.79, and a small Napa Chickpea Wrap costs $8.19, while a chicken sausage breakfast bowl costs $6.69 in the breakfast section.

An NYC Health Epi Data Brief found that “fresh produce stores made up just 3% of establishments, highlighting major gaps in healthy food access.” In the report, they found that the

ratio of healthy foods to unhealthy foods is 1 to 5. This isn’t good news in the eyes of the NYC Department of Health, which found that “limited access to healthy food...contributes to the high rates of diabetes and obesity in the Bronx.”

On campus, resources such as the Basic Needs Center food pantry aim to help students by providing free groceries. However, reliance on such services raises larger concerns about food insecurity.

“Why do we have to rely on donations to feed students?” D’Alessandro asked. “Why isn’t this already available to everyone? Students have not stopped asking for healthy food on campus,” she said. “But they have not been given it, at least not affordably.”

Despite these challenges, students continue to seek ways to balance cost and nutrition, whether through meal prepping, shopping strategically, or seeking campus resources. Still, D’Alessandro thinks that meaningful change will require action beyond the individual level. “It’s not just about food,” she said. “It’s about access, education, and making sure people have real choices.”