Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Youth food justice programs hire teenagers to engage in food justice projects in their neighborhoods. These community-oriented programs encourage youth to discover and develop their natural strengths by farming, taking advantage of leadership opportunities, and working on relationship-building. This exploratory research compares the development outcomes of five youth food justice programs in the Northeastern U.S. through data collected from interviews with youth and adult staff. Four main themes emerged: food justice, community building, providing a safe space, and personal development. Results suggest that program participation supported youth feeling greater connection to their food system, their communities, and themselves. Participants reported gains in systems thinking, a deeper sense of community, positive relationships with adult mentors and peers, and feelings of self-efficacy. Youth food justice programs are crucial tools for building resilient food systems, community well-being, and youth empowerment.
Authors: Catherine Horwitz, Teresa Mares
Institution: University of Vermont
Language: English
Subfield: Safety Research
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDGs: Zero hunger, No poverty
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $500
OpenAlex ID: W4409307212