INCORPORATING VISUAL ARTS INTO ANTI-FOOD WASTE CAMPAIGNS

EVIDENCE-BASED ARGUMENTATION

Abstract

Food waste is a pervasive global issue with significant environmental, economic and social implications. Technological inadequacies, lack of awareness and behavioural factors remain a major challenge in this area, particularly in parts of Africa, which have a history of frequent power failures and other issues, including poor packaging, inadequate personnel training, underdeveloped transport systems, insufficient cold storage and insecurity. Some of these problems can be addressed through more effective and inclusive anti-food waste campaigns. This paper argues for the incorporation of visual arts into existing anti-food waste strategies, leveraging the potential of visual communication to promote positive behavioural change and foster individual and community social responsibility. Through a review of existing literature and case studies, this research demonstrates the potential of visual arts to raise awareness, evoke emotions and inspire action. By examining artworks, designs and relevant literature, this paper provides evidence-based argumentation for integrating visual arts into anti-food waste campaigns, highlighting the social responsibility of artists and designers in this context. The findings of this research have important implications for policymakers, practitioners and scholars seeking innovative solutions to the persistent food waste issue in Nigeria and beyond.