Researchers engaging in participatory planning initiatives can enhance participant involvement by using concept mapping integrated with photo-elicitation. Focusing on a research collaboration between the University of Georgia and the Atlanta Community Food Bank, our research used these methods to identify sources of instability for food insecure households and generate new program ideas. Our results underscore clients’ capacity for procuring food and providing input on pantry policies. The productive conversations facilitated through this process also demonstrate the need for stronger communication between pantry staff and clientele. This article makes a unique contribution to mixed methods research by demonstrating how an integrative research design can support communities of inquiry and participatory research that identifies obstacles faced by low-income households.

参与式计划活动的研究人员可以通过使用与照片激发相集成的概念图来增强参与者的参与度。着眼于佐治亚大学和亚特兰大社区食品银行之间的研究合作，我们的研究使用这些方法来确定粮食不安全家庭的不稳定来源并产生新的计划构想。我们的结果强调了客户购买食品和提供食品储藏政策方面的能力。通过此过程促进的富有成效的对话还表明，食品储藏室员工与客户之间需要加强沟通。