08-04-2025
Youth artists use their art to spark conversations about addressing child food insecurity
LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP)- As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. And the artwork by our local youth speaks volumes about a pressing issue — child food insecurity.
These artists are using their art to spark conversations by conveying the struggles that many children face in obtaining enough food to eat.1 in 3 people in Massachusetts don't have access to reliable nutritious food.
But a group of teens is taking action to address this issue — through an art exhibit at Storrs Library in Longmeadow. Rachel's Table Teen Board put together the bi-annual youth art competition, Hunger Awareness Arts Festival. 'No one should have to go through hunger. I know what it's like to have a really bad stomach from, like, when I was really little and must've didn't know I had celiac disease. Like it was so bad,' said a student at Wolf Swamp Elementary School, Teagan.
The theme of the festival is 'Beyond the Lunch Line: Kids Facing Hunger.' This year's theme is exploring the realities of childhood hunger through the eyes of 22 young artists.
Rachel's Table partnered with teachers in classrooms and individual artists to get youth talking about food insecurity in and out of the classroom. Teagan explains the meaning behind her masterpiece.
'I ended up creating a lonely and hungry, boy sitting on the bench in school and the other kids around him are like running around and doing cartwheels. I used to do that same thing when I had stomach aches,' said Teagan.
These illustrations become a call to action — and the effects food insecurity has on a child. 'I think all of us are having a hard time in terms of the cost of food. But when it affects young children, it affects their brain development, it affects their emotional development. And it's really an important piece, too, to look at it, to try and figure out how to stop it from happening,' said Executive Director of Rachel's Table, Jodie Falk.
Through this festival, the hope is to educate and engage the community on just how vulnerable children are to food insecurity and just one example of how youth are using their talents to make a difference in the region. If you want to help support the Rachel's Table Teen Board's mission to alleviate food insecurity their always looking for both food and monetary donations.
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