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Through a New Lens
Food Justice Students Explore Food Security Programs, Issue of Food Security in the U.S. Virgin Islands | By Charlie Morrison
Determined to provide her students a more well-rounded understanding the issue of food security and justice inside and outside of the continental U.S., Department of Human Sciences Chair Dr. Veronica Oates led a study-abroad trip this spring focused on food security and justice to St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The week-long “capstone” trip, titled “Food Security & Justice: The Role of WIC, SNAP-ED and EFNEP Experience in St Croix, V.I.,” took place during TSU’s 2024 spring break from March 1 to 8. The crux of the trip was an examination of the role food security programs play in St. Croix and in the Virgin Islands. According to Oates, “the experience was an important one for the students.”
The trip offered students the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge about food justice issues. The itinerary included a two-day workshop funded by the Nashville Children Eating Well project.
Studying abroad in St. Croix was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had.
- TSU Human Sciences student Ameena Wimberly
This workshop, developed by Dr. Oates, provided a platform for students to explore the critical role of programs like WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education), and EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) in promoting food security and justice.
Highlights of the conference included student presentation on WIC recipes and an impromptu fireside chat with Diana E. Collingwood, Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture for the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“This trip was an invaluable opportunity for our students to connect the theoretical concepts of food justice with real-world challenges faced by communities,” said Dr. Oates. “By engaging with local stakeholders in St. Croix, they gained a deeper understanding of the unique barriers to food access and the solutions being implemented.”
The trip served as a capstone project for students enrolled in the NUFS 4620: Special Problems in Food and Nutrition: Food Justice course. Throughout the semester, the course delved into the challenges surrounding access to healthy and affordable food in the United States and its territories, with a particular focus on Tennessee and St. Croix.
During the trip, students gave 21 hours of service, for which they earned academic credit. “Studying abroad in St. Croix was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had,” said TSU Human Sciences student Ameena Wimberly. “It was a privilege to learn about the territory. On this trip, I was able to work with the Virgin Islands WIC program.”
“There, I gave presentations celebrating the establishment of the WIC Program along with strategies to help participants utilize it best. I toured numerous farms and even helped host a workshop at the University of Virgin Islands. Most importantly, I was able to get an understanding of the special problems in nutrition found in Virgin Islands,” she continued.
The trip to St. Croix coincides with a national celebration of the 50th anniversary of WIC. WIC plays a vital role in ensuring the nutritional wellbeing of low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and young children. Programs like WIC, SNAP-Ed, and EFNEP are crucial components of a comprehensive approach to achieving food security and justice.
Participating students were Nia Gonzo, Ameena Wimberly, Janani Oates, Dashia Ramsey, and Morgan Gill. Assistant Professor Rita Fleming, Associate Professor David Padgett, Mr. Mark Brinkley of the Office of International Affairs, and Ms. Akela Barnett, Director of the Early Learning Center presented at the two-day conference.
