Safefood Launches Appetite for Change Exhibition at Letterkenny Library
Safefood is inviting the public to engage with the modern food environment through an interactive exhibition running at Letterkenny Library from October 29 to November 10, reported. The free public display pairs illustrations by artist Steve Doogan with a multimedia advertising campaign focused on heavily marketed, unhealthy food options. The initiative features a virtual reality supermarket experience designed to study how teenagers make dietary choices amid retail pressures.
Community Visions and Artist Illustrations Shape the Display
The exhibition stems from a series of community conversations across the island of Ireland regarding local visions for a healthier food environment. Award-winning artist Steve Doogan translated these public perspectives into visual illustrations featured throughout the two-week display. Visitors attending the library exhibition can complete an interactive survey on site or access it online via the Safefood website to share their views on retail food marketing.
Stuart Hamilton, Head of Libraries Development at the Local Government Management Agency, noted that public libraries serve as welcoming spaces that encourage people of all ages to engage with community wellbeing issues. According to Hamilton, combining community participation with direct input from teenagers allows the campaign to explore how everyday choices are influenced by surrounding environments.
Virtual Reality Immersive Workshops Engage Loretto Letterkenny Teenagers
Safefood is hosting an immersive workshop incorporating a first-of-its-kind virtual reality experience for students from Loretto Letterkenny. Developed alongside Dublin City University Institute of Business and Society under the direction of Professor Tim Hubbard, the VR supermarket lets teenagers explore pricing, product placement, and promotional displays. Researchers use the simulation to examine how retail features influence what young shoppers notice and how they react.
Dr. Joanne Uí Chrualaoich, CEO of Safefood, stated that connecting with the library network brings the exhibition to a wider audience to drive national dialogue on food environments. Dr. Aileen McGloin, Lead for Nutrition at Safefood, noted that food-related ill health remains a major public health challenge linked to global obesity. McGloin emphasized that teenagers deal with complex influences from peers, schools, finances, and digital spaces when selecting food. Professor Hubbard added that immersive technology offers a unique method to observe young people responding to realistic retail cues.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Exhibition
Where and when can visitors view the exhibition?
The free Appetite for Change exhibition runs at Letterkenny Library from October 29 to November 10.
How can the public share feedback outside the library?
Visitors and online participants can complete the interactive survey hosted at safefood.net.
Who developed the virtual reality supermarket experience?
The VR experience was created in collaboration with Safefood by the Dublin City University Institute of Business and Society, led by Professor Tim Hubbard.
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