Photovoice as a Participatory Evaluation Method

Evaluating a Collective Kitchen Program in Northern Ontario

Authors

  • Vivian Oystrick Cambrian College, Greater Sudbury, Ontario
  • Sidney J. Shapiro Dhillon School of Business, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3138/cjpe-2024-0015

Keywords:

photovoice, participatory methods, collective kitchen, program evaluation

Abstract

This article describes the evaluation of a collective kitchen program that aimed to provide food education programming to young adults, economically vulnerable community members, and Indigenous families. Photovoice was used as a participatory evaluation method to gain more insight into the impact of the collective kitchen program on the lives of the participants. Photovoice is a research approach that allows people in a community to express their views, concerns, or experiences on issues that are important to them. The objective was to give participants an opportunity to “speak” through photographs about how participating in the program impacted their lives. Photovoice allowed us to capture the true extent of the program’s impact, and ultimately, it became a meaningful and powerful way to help us better understand each participant’s experiences and connect with the issues that created barriers to healthy eating.

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Cover of The Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation / La Revue canadienne d’évaluation de programme. Pale blue background with bilingual English–French title at the top. Central box lists Volume 39, Number 2, December 2024 and article titles and authors under section headings. Website and ISSN appear at the top; University of Toronto Press logo at bottom right.

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Published

2025-01-29

How to Cite

Oystrick, V., & Shapiro, S. J. (2025). Photovoice as a Participatory Evaluation Method: Evaluating a Collective Kitchen Program in Northern Ontario. Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation, 39(2), 373–381. https://doi.org/10.3138/cjpe-2024-0015

Issue

Vol. 39 No. 2 (2024): December

Section

Research and Practice Notes

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Vivian Oystrick, Sidney J. Shapiro

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