Date of Graduation

5-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Sciences

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Innovation

Advisor/Mentor

Trudo, Sabrina

Committee Member

Garrison, Betsy

Second Committee Member

Buckley, Nancy

Abstract

Many colleges and universities offer students access to on-campus food pantries, yet very few students utilize these services despite reporting high rates of food insecurity. Considering the importance of a healthy diet on the developing minds of young adults, it is pertinent that colleges and universities find innovative ways to reach food insecure students. The purpose of this hybrid creative-research project was to creatively address commonly cited barriers of seeking food assistance (i.e., negative stigma, embarrassment, unknown location, awareness of resource, etc.) using public art. A mural was designed to encourage healthy eating behaviors and provide signage for the Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Food Pantry at the University of Arkansas. A sample of food pantry patrons (n=51) took a survey either before or after the mural’s installation to assess their personal beliefs and attitudes towards using the food pantry and eating a healthy diet. Results of this project suggest that public art may influence perceptions of food pantries, human nutrition, and personal dietary habits. While this study lays a fresh foundation for combating the physical and psychological barriers of food pantry usage, further investigations of the relationship between public art and nutrition are needed.

Keywords

mural; public art; nutrition; perception; food pantry

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