“Food for Thought”

Lauren Park

Wellesley College Psychology and Sociology ‘24

The Importance of Food Insecurity Awareness and Education

Introduction

• Wellesley’s Lumpkin Summer Internship Program

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• Education Intern at Mass Audubon’s Boston Nature Center and Wildlife Sanctuary (BNC)

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• Tuesday-Friday: youth education
• Gardening and wildlife
• Summer campers and local students

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• Saturday: farm stand manager
• Get fresh and affordable produce out to community

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• Introduction to working with a non-profit and service-based organization

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• Increased awareness and passion for issues around food insecurity

Mass Audubon’s Mission

• Sanctuaries and Nature Centers located all around the state of Massachusetts

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• Mission: “To protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and for wildlife.”

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• Key Values: love of nature, passion and commitment, people and community, inspiring action, credibility, teamwork

Source: https://www.massaudubon.org

The Boston Nature Center (BNC)

• 67 acre property in Mattapan, MA

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• “Home to over 150 species of birds, 40 species of butterflies, and more than 350 species of plants”

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• The BNC’s Specific Mission:
• Education and conservation
• Bringing nature to a city/urban environment
• More focus on food security and accessibility to fresh food in places deemed to be “food deserts.”

Sammy the Corn Snake!

My supervisor, Adam!

Source: https://www.massaudubon.org

Key Terms to Note

Food Deserts

Food Insecurity

“Geographic areas where residents’ access to affordable, healthy food options is restricted or nonexistent due to the absence of grocery stores within convenient traveling distance.”

“A lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life.”

Source: https://foodispower.org/access-health/food-deserts/

Source: https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/food-insecurity

BNC Farm Stands

• 3 BNC sponsored farm stands in the Boston area

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• Nubian Square Market:
• Newest market and located in an area that can especially benefit from affordable produce
• “Locally grown, organic, pesticide free produce”

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• Is this the BEST locations? How can we increase the number of sales and customers?

BNC

Egleston Square Market

Nubian Square Market

Mattapan Market

Farm Stands Photos

Strawberries and Snap Peas

Summer Squash

Bell and Poblano Peppers

*BELL PEPPER FUN FACT!!

Cherry Tomatoes

The Farm at Moose Hill

• Located in Sharon, MA

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• “Locally grown, organic, pesticide free produce”

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• BNC Farm Stand partner

Garlic and Onions Galore!

Fresh Watermelon!

Key Points and Takeaways

1. Give gardening a chance and learn more about where your food is coming from.

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• Sense of “ownership” and “accomplishment” in gardening

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• Campers and students loved exploring/caring for the garden

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• Mass Audubon’s mission to get the local community more involved in nature

Key Points and Takeaways

1. afa
2. Having access to fresh produce and experiencing food security is a privilege.

• We forget that food is basic human need that all people should have access to

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• Food insecurity is complex and leads to the sacrificing of other needs
• But these sacrifices shouldn’t be necessary…

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• What action can be taken to improve this close the gap between communities?

Key Points and Takeaways

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• Being able to explore nature and the natural world around you is a privilege – so take advantage of it!

Students meeting Beekeeper Bill!

• Going on hikes and spending time in natural environments/green spaces is a privilege that we are lucky to have

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• I’m very grateful to be able to help introduce people to nature this summer

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• DISCONNECT AND GET INTO THE WORLD!

What I learned about myself

• Teaching and planning lessons is hard!
• But not opposed to working with children

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• Values of listening to and learning from others, and stepping out of my comfort zone

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• What’s next?

• Continuing to have conversations about social issues, educating myself, and working to form plans to combat these problems

Any Questions?

Thank You!