Promoting Well-Being & Community Through A Cafeteria: A Photovoice Project

Summary

This Photovoice project, created by Dr. Rachel Hershberg's Community Psychology class, focuses on improving well-being at the University of Washington Tacoma by addressing food insecurity and limited dining options. Students identified key concerns, including the lack of healthy, affordable food on campus and the absence of a cafeteria. Through photography and analysis, they proposed a cafeteria as a solution to provide nutritious meals, social spaces, and employment opportunities. The project highlights the need for better food access and affordability, emphasizing the importance of health and well-being for all students.

Takeaways

• 😀 Photovoice is a participatory action research methodology that empowers people to capture and reflect on issues in their own communities.
• 😀 A group of 13 students from the University of Washington Tacoma identified key issues affecting student well-being, focusing on rest areas, safety, and nutrition.
• 😀 Healthy food options on campus are limited, with vending machines offering few nutritious choices and off-campus healthy food being expensive.
• 😀 The need for a campus cafeteria was highlighted as a potential solution to improve access to affordable, healthy meals.
• 😀 Students expressed that a cafeteria would not only offer affordable food but also serve as a social gathering space and employment opportunity for students.
• 😀 Interviews with students revealed dissatisfaction with the current food options on campus, with many wishing for more diversity, including international food choices.
• 😀 Students identified that food insecurity is a significant issue for many on campus, making it harder to maintain a healthy lifestyle while balancing academics.
• 😀 The project emphasized the connection between affordable, nutritious meals and overall student success and well-being.
• 😀 The University of Washington Tacoma is committed to social justice, and the students' advocacy aligns with the university's mission to promote inclusivity and equity.
• 😀 The lack of healthy and affordable food options on campus is seen as an unmet need that should be addressed to ensure students' health and academic success.
• 😀 The students hope that their advocacy for a campus cafeteria will inspire change and create a healthier, more unified campus community.

Q & A

What is Photovoice and how was it used in this project?

Photovoice is a participatory action research methodology where participants capture images to document their experiences and perspectives. In this project, UW students used Photovoice to identify strengths and areas of improvement related to well-being on campus, focusing on rest areas, safety, and nutrition.

What are the main themes identified in the Photovoice project?

The main themes identified by the students are rest areas, safety, and nutrition, with a strong emphasis on the need for a cafeteria on campus to support student well-being.

Why do the students believe a cafeteria would benefit the campus community?

Students believe a cafeteria would provide affordable, healthier eating options, create employment opportunities, and serve as a social gathering space, fostering unity among the campus community.

What are the concerns related to vending machine options on campus?

The vending machines on campus mostly offer unhealthy snack options, and students feel there is a need for healthier choices to promote better nutrition and overall well-being.

How do students feel about the affordability of food near campus?

Students find it difficult to afford healthy meals, as many nearby restaurants offer meals that are too expensive for a typical student budget. For example, smoothies at Senergo cost $7, and other affordable options like Subway or Hot Rod Dog are still not sufficiently healthy or cost-effective for regular meals.

What alternative eating options do students currently have on campus?

Currently, students mainly rely on a few quick-service options like the local hotdog stand, Jimmy John's, and other fast food restaurants on Pacific Avenue, but they feel these options are limited and not very diverse in terms of cuisine types.

What are students’ opinions on having a cafeteria on campus?

Most students are enthusiastic about the idea of a cafeteria, indicating they would use it if it offered affordable, healthy meal options under $10, and would consider visiting it regularly if it were available.

What role does the University of Washington Tacoma play in addressing social justice issues, and how does this relate to the food issue?

The University of Washington Tacoma is actively engaged in social justice causes, including LGBTQ rights, racial justice, and socio-economic discrimination. The food issue ties into this broader commitment by addressing food insecurity and the need for equitable access to affordable, healthy meals for all students.

What ethical considerations did the students take into account when photographing for the Photovoice project?

The students were instructed to consider the code of ethics when photographing images, ensuring that they respected privacy and depicted community strengths and challenges in a meaningful and responsible manner.

How do students feel about the current campus food environment in terms of diversity?

Students feel that the food options on campus are not diverse enough. They expressed a desire for more variety, such as Asian or Mexican food, in addition to the existing quick-service options, to better cater to the diverse student body.