Carrots grow in the supermarket and a chicken is a drumstick on a plate.
When asked how vegetables grow and where their food comes from, many students won’t know the answer. With a focus on education and action, the sustainable food movement has grown strong roots over the last decade. Stemming from forays into organic agriculture in the 1960s, the food movement has become increasingly sophisticated: addressing health concerns, food security, and providing a political understanding of our food system. All in the hope of challenging corporate food chains and changing consumer habits.
The desire to bring food to the table has been promoted by people ranging from famous chef and activist Jamie Oliver to non-profit organizations such as The Stop Community Food Centre. In Ontario alone there are thousands of organizations working on issues related to our food system, and in 2013 a Local Food Act was passed by the Ontario Government. This includes some great fundraising opportunities for students.
Schools can put sustainability on the agenda by integrating food issues across subject areas and sections of the Ontario EcoSchools program. Below are some facts to share and resources to fuel further food for thought.
Did you know? Facts and Stats to Share
- Over 1/3 of food purchased is thrown away. Overall the world generates 1.2 to 2 billion tonnes of food waste each year – and a lot of it is perfectly good food! Check out this student generated infographic from Sustain Ontario.
- According to a Canadian Vital Signs Report from 2013, global agricultural yields are projected to decrease by as much as 16% due to climate change before the end of this century. Good thing our local food movement is gaining momentum – see this infographic for some promising stats.
- The average meal travels 1200km from farm to plate. Food that is grown closer to home will have fewer transportation emissions associated with it, is fresher and supports local farmers. Plus, it just tastes better!
- On a positive note, the Ontario government recently passed a law banning neonics, an agricultural pesticide that harms pollinators.
- In Canada, 55,000 farms sell to four or five retailers who supply 85% of our food. Even more troubling is that 96% of the meat supply in Canada is controlled by four companies. Read this article from Food Secure Canada for more information on what we can do to combat food insecurity.
Resources for the classroom:
FoodShare: In addition to the popular Great Big Crunch campaign, FoodShare has some excellent resources for educators.
Sustain Ontario also has a list of 10 resources, from videos to toolkits, as well as a webinar featuring Secondary School teachers talking about local food in their schools.
EarthDay International provides some food-related campaign suggestions, including Meatless Mondays and a compost campaign.
Movies: Here is a wide-ranging list of food movies that can spur discussion or debate in secondary schools.
Farm to School month: The month of October is also Farm to School month, and Farm to Cafeteria Canada is holding a student artwork contest (deadline October 31st) with the chance to win a $2000 prize.
World Food Day! Finally, for a global and social justice perspective, October 16th is World Food Day. Here is a recent article on the links between food bank use, healthy diet, and farming in Canada.
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