Known for her roles in numerous blockbuster hits and television shows such as The Bridge to Terabithia, Soul Surfer and The Carrie Diaries, it’s safe to say actress AnnaSophia Robb is very busy.
Despite preparing to graduate from NYU this semester, she recently partnered with the General Mills Feeding Better Futures Scholar Program and DoSomething.org to encourage today’s youth to think about food consumption and how food waste can be minimized both inside and outside the kitchen. Both programs offer the chance to win generous scholarships to help fund community-based projects related to food issues and/or relief. Robb spoke with Her Campus about the steps to reducing food waste, how young people can advance their activism campaigns and the social impact of her latest movie, Freak Show.
Her Campus: You’ve recently partnered with General Mills and DoSomething.org to empower young people to feed a better future. What does that future look like to you?
AnnaSophia Robb: I think in a general sense, it looks like composting and just everyone being aware about how much food they consume, how they are recycling that food, and how big their footprint and impact are. But I think we need to take steps to get there because we’re obviously not there right now.
HC: What are some simple ways we can work toward this future step by step?
ASR: The Do Something campaign and Feeding Better Futures program are possible steps because they’re putting young people at the center of the conversation to look at problems that might be around them in their communities and finding ways to fix those problems in small steps. Rather than relying on the government or even older generations to solve these problems that we see around us every day, it’s taking responsibility as an individual and really holding yourself and your community responsible that makes change happen in small ways. Through these small steps an individual can help their community reduce food waste.
HC: Reducing personal food waste and purchasing sustainably grown products can be a great start. Do you have any favorite go-to recipes that are healthy, environmentally friendly and affordable?
ASR: I try to use what’s in my refrigerator, instead of throwing out food that could potentially be saved. I feel like greens go bad pretty quickly. Especially if you’re running around not paying attention, it’s pretty easy for them to go bad. My roommates and I will freeze our spinach or kale or fruit and put them into smoothies. If you think that something is starting to turn, you just freeze it, and then we don’t have to throw it away.
HC: With over a million followers on Instagram and Twitter combined, you have a very large platform to show support for various movements. Do you think social media is the best tool for pushing forward positive messages?
ASR: I definitely think it’s a really helpful tool, but I have mixed feelings about social media. It makes me anxious! I think today it’s just one of the ways the world is going, and it’s a great way to communicate across the world, which has never been possible before. I think it’s just one of the tools that we have. For me the best tool is to get in a community or a small group and have discussion and be able to have a safe conversation about people’s experiences and problems. Then there’s sort of an accountability to do something, make that happen and build friendships. However, I think social media is a huge part of that now to get the conversation going and then also share what you’re doing in a smaller group or in different location with the world.
HC: For young people without a prominent social media presence, how would you advise they spread awareness for their cause?
ASR: I think in terms of this campaign, young people have the opportunity to send in community-based projects to General Mills. The youth of social media, even if they don’t have a platform, can access people or companies with larger access. For example, Rosario Dawson posted this amazing video of this guy singing on Instagram to Golden Girls. I think it’s an older video, but then it gets shared. I’m sure he sent it to a friend who sent it another friend, and so it has this word-of-mouth effect. It’s like sharing your heart. You might not think someone would care about what you care about, but as soon as you put it out there, you’d be surprised that a lot of people do. It might just take a little bit more time.
HC: You’ve been in the Hollywood spotlight since childhood. Have any of your previous roles influenced your interests in humanitarian work and activism?
ASR: I would say so. I feel like the roles, the nature of being on set in Hollywood and activism have been closely linked because there are a lot of opportunities to help out. But my mom was really the one who got me interested in philanthropy and just being involved. To get back to your question, I worked with Mia Farrow on Samantha: An American Girl Holiday when I was ten. She’s an ambassador to the UN, and she’s working in Sudan. She’s very politically active, and that was sort of my first taste of what someone with more of a social presence can do with their art. I remember sitting in a chair at ten years old, talking to her and encouraging me in that way. From there, it was working with Bethany Hamilton. She’s very involved in helping people and has a fantastic non-profit. She’s worked with AIDS in Africa, too. Everyone I’ve been around is very socially conscious and globally-minded. It’s very encouraging and fulfilling, and it’s one of the most satisfying things I find in my career.
HC: Your most recent movie, Freak Show, premiered in theaters on January 12th. How does this amazing film encourage young people to stand up and make an impact, even if it’s just in their own local communities?
ASR: I think the movie itself is fun and lighthearted, but at the core of it, there’s an exposing of real pain from the severe bullying the main character goes through just to be himself. It shows that you don’t need to give up who you are or your authentic self. By being yourself, you’ll come to be accepted because there ends up being a whole community at school of people who actually look up to him. They just are too afraid to stand up and say so.
HC: And finally, do you have any upcoming service-oriented projects you’re excited about?
ASR: Right now, I don’t. To be honest, I’m trying to get through my colloquium, and then after March I’m planning a trip. I’m graduating this semester, so the next month is locked down.