VCH Public Health Dietitians Vanessa Lam and Kathy Romses were successful recipients of a VCH Research Institute Research Challenge grant funded by the Robert N. Ho Enhancing Patient Care Fund. With the support of this grant, they initiated a qualitative research project to explore the connection between food, gardening and mental well-being in Vancouver secondary school youth using Photovoice.

Photovoice allowed youth to be co-researchers where they shared their personal experiences through photography and writing. Gathering all the participants’ stories and photographs together for the ArtStarts Mezzanine Gallery was one the first opportunities to share the results of the research. Vanessa and Kathy considered how student involvement in garden and food literacy activities can provide them with the opportunity to build their confidence, resiliency and sense of self-mastery. All participants shared that their food literacy experiences improved some aspect of their mental well-being.

Part of the Digging in Deep exhibit at ArtStarts Mezzanine Gallery (photo credit: ArtStarts in Schools)

The November opening was a success with youth, families, school and community partners in attendance. Vanessa and Kathy encourage you to visit and interact with the exhibit in person. All visitors can reflect on what they learned about food and gardening from the project and write down their comments.

One youth visitor was already making connections:   “I learned that gardens aren’t just for growing plants; they’re for human growth too. “

Check it out

There’s still time to visit the exhibit Digging in Deep at ArtStarts Mezzanine Gallery on located at 808 Richards Street in Vancouver. The exhibit continues until February 26, 2017.