Engaging, empowering, and evaluating farm-to-school projects with photovoice

Abstract

This case study describes how we used photovoice as an engagement, empowerment, and evaluation tool in a farm-to-school project with food service staff in rural Ohio. We explain why we chose the visual narrative approach, working in a school set­ting, addressing institutional review board proto­cols, training, building trust with participants, and the outcomes. We provide lessons learned and suggestions for how other farm-to-school projects can use this tool for broader engagement, empow­erment, and evaluation, especially when working with hard-to-reach or vulnerable populations.

Keywords

• Farm-to-School
• F2S
• Photovoice
• Evaluation
• Food Service Staff
• Research