Tallahassee Youth Take Food and Hunger to City
Dozens of local young people shared concerns about food access, mental health and violence at this year's symposium.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Healthy Food
Live Poll
Do you trust Tallahassee local government to act on youth concerns about food insecurity?
Dozens of children and young adults gathered at FAMU Developmental Research School for the 17th annual Youth Symposium on Food and Hunger, hosted by the Tallahassee Food Network. Tallahassee families and youth interested in food access and community wellbeing will see the event's themes explored through youth voices.
Why it matters
The symposium gives young Tallahassee residents a structured setting to share experiences about food and hunger and to discuss mental health and violence alongside them. Organizers plan to carry students' concerns and ideas to city government and community leaders, which could shape local youth programs.
The event is a community program rather than a study, and the available information is limited to attendance and format. Its 17-year run and participation by youth and partner groups indicate ongoing engagement, but no measured health or food-security outcomes were reported.
The players
Tallahassee Food Network
A Tallahassee organization focused on food access and hunger relief that hosts the annual youth symposium.
Dr. P. Qasimah Boston
President of the Tallahassee Food Network and co-director of Tallahassee Youth for Change, working on youth-centered community health and food initiatives.
Greater Frenchtown Revitalization Council
A Tallahassee community group focused on neighborhood revitalization in the Frenchtown area.
Earthjustice
A nonprofit environmental law organization that works on public health and environmental justice issues.
The details
Participants explored mental health and violence through a keynote speaker, art, and interactive activities designed to let young people speak about their own experiences. The symposium theme, "Sankofa: Go Back and Get It," frames the gathering around learning from the past to address current challenges. Partners including the Greater Frenchtown Revitalization Council, Citizens for a Sustainable Future, and Earthjustice supported the program.
Timeline
The symposium took place on October 31, 2026, at FAMU Developmental Research School in Tallahassee.
Health Landscape
Youth-focused community forums on food insecurity sit alongside broader local efforts to address hunger, mental health, and violence among young people. Programs that gather youth input are one way communities try to connect lived experience with the policies that affect health and food access.
If you are a parent or caregiver in Tallahassee, the symposium is a reminder that food access and mental health are closely linked for young people, so it is worth asking your child's school or pediatrician about local food and support resources. Families can also watch for follow-up from organizers as student input moves toward city leaders.
The takeaway
Community programs that center youth voices can surface real concerns about hunger, mental health, and violence. If you work with young people, consider asking them what they need, since their ideas can inform local programs.
Further reading
For more on the local food-access picture, explore Healthy Food coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wctv.
Live Poll
Do you trust Tallahassee local government to act on youth concerns about food insecurity?
