Whitney Witt is passionate about photography, a hobby she has nurtured for years. She often carries her 35mm camera on her many hiking or climbing adventures. The goal has always been to capture a moment in time during her outdoor ventures when she fully experiences the true beauty of nature. One such moment was the awe-inspiring view of the Pennsylvania mountain range as she stood on the steep 45-degree incline of the Hudson Yards building she had just climbed. Another was the amazing diversity of life she photographed as she trekked the challenging Delaware Water Gap that slices through a large ridge of the Appalachian Mountains.
Just as these photographs play an important role in preserving Whitney’s personal history, she discovered a more relevant and worthwhile use for her photography skills. Namely, to add a face and a place to the issue of food insecurity and hunger across America, and quite frankly, right in our own backyards. By capturing the lived experiences of individuals and families affected by hunger, Whitney hopes to raise awareness and inspire meaningful action. Through her lens, she aims to humanize the statistics, turning abstract concepts into real stories that resonate with a broader audience, fostering empathy and engagement.
Food deserts in our communities
Food deserts are a significant public health crisis, particularly in low-income urban and rural areas where access to affordable, nutritious food is scarce. Residents often rely on convenience stores and fast food, leading to poor diets high in processed, low-nutrient foods. This lack of healthy options contributes to a range of chronic health issues, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, particularly in communities already facing socioeconomic and racial inequities.
Years ago, Whitney Witt embarked on a passion project to document the challenges faced by communities living in food deserts. By focusing her camera on urban and rural populations struggling to make ends meet, she discovered that these economically disadvantaged and mobility-challenged groups often lack access to well-stocked markets with reasonable prices.
Photography that raises awareness
Whitney Witt is channeling her photography skills toward a new purpose, hoping that the images she captures can influence society, particularly in public health. She believes that a powerful photograph can serve as both artistic expression and a tool for raising awareness about the public health crisises both in the US and around the globe.
Just as her photographs of untouched natural landscapes introduce viewers to unseen beauty, she understands that documenting food insecurity and hunger in America can educate and inspire social change. The causes of food deserts are well-documented; they exist in areas marked by significant racial and income inequities.
Whitney has come to realize that these inequities are not just statistics—they have faces, names, smiles, waves, and eyes filled with both awareness and uncertainty. These are people with stories, struggles, and dreams, all profoundly impacted by food insecurity. It is imperative for all communities to find effective ways to eliminate food deserts in America and provide access to nutritious, affordable food for every individual.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
