Young artists raise hunger awareness through ArtsFest exhibit in Longmeadow
LONGMEADOW — A barren refrigerator, a plate and cutlery made of fast-food wrappers, a hungry teenage girl surrounded by a landfill of food – these images, depicted by the ArtsFest exhibit at the Richard Salter Storrs Library, reflect food insecurity in Western Massachusetts as seen by teen artists.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion defines food insecurity as “a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food.”
“It’s a pretty prevalent problem. It’s increased due to COVID-19. Food insecurity has doubled for students since COVID-19 began,” said Franza Mazimpaka, co-president of the Rachel’s Table Teen Board.