Food for Thought

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Food: For Thought, For Life

food-for-thought.jpgThe UMMC Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities (CBMH) in collaboration with the Mississippi Humanities Council (MHC) created an educational campaign titled FOOD: For Thought, For Life to inform and engage Mississippi communities on important health and nutrition issues while celebrating the state's unique culinary traditions.

The series covers 10 topics, each identified and developed by Mississippi scholars and health advocates. Topics include not only information about how to read labels and the risks of too much sugar, but also advice on gardening, farmer's markets, updating favorite recipes, and interesting facts about Mississippi's food traditions. Overall, the goal of the series is to shed light on Mississippi's complicated food issues while also fostering local discussions on food and food practices.

The exhibit is displayed in 31 public and community college libraries throughout the state with each library displaying one topic per month during the 2015-16 academic year. Topics are addressed in two large complimentary panels, each measuring 9'x 2.5'. Designed by a team of animators, the colorful and engaging panels present dietary and health information to library patrons in quick and accessible ways to help make Mississippi's citizens more aware and knowledgeable about nutrition, the role that food plays in our culture, and how to make wise choices about what we eat. Libraries may also host additional events or invite presenters from the MHC Speakers Bureau to expand community conversations about the issues raised by the series.

Series topics and panel cards

  • Breaking Down Food Labels to Build Food Knowledge
  • Food Deserts: The What, Where, Who & Why of a Mississippi Crisis
  • Gardening Made Easy
  • Health and Wellness Apps
  • Healthy Eating Through the Lifecycle
  • It's a Staple: Role of Food in Southern Literature & Film
  • Mississippi Farmers Markets: Benefits for Everyone
  • Mississippi Food Traditions
  • Sugar-Sweetened Beverages: Extra Sugar, Extra Calories & Extra Weight
  • Updating Southern Food