Diversity-Grown: Participatory Evaluation of a Community Gardening Initiative through Photovoice

Abstract

The evaluation of community initiatives can be as creative as the initiatives themselves. In Tallahassee, Florida, an event for the urban agricultural food movement employed Photovoice as a method for assessment of the event. Photovoice was selected for its ready application in participatory processes, where the data itself is collected and interpreted by community, thereby resulting in empowerment of community residents. In this case, youth were trained to utilize the Photovoice approach to collect and interpret data and to describe in their own words the value of this good food movement event. Cultural influences in the food environment were highlighted, in terms of diversity and inclusion of all populations noting that food environment influences are multiple and equally important. The concept Evaluation for Community Action (EFCA) was developed, and our results link improving the food environment through innovative and novel methods like Photovoice evaluation.