Engaging Youth in the Food System Through Education

Rather than seeing themselves as merely “consumers” of food, young adults – empowered by knowledge and efficacy – can engage the food system at multiple levels. They have the potential to shape the food system to the benefit of themselves, their community and the global environment, taking on roles as food producers, retailers, policy advocates and researchers, among others. Even where youth engagement is limited to consumption, knowledge and efficacy can foster informed dietary choices that have ripple effects throughout the food system.

This session will explore approaches to engaging youth in the food system through education, showcasing examples from Teaching the Food System – a curriculum for high school level educators that features classroom-ready lesson plans, story-driven short films and experiential learning activities.

The curriculum, fully available online, is under continuous development by content experts, educators and filmmakers. Teacher and student focus groups will be assembled regularly to measure the project's effectiveness and direct ongoing development.

The intended outcomes of the curriculum are to increase student knowledge, efficacy and engagement in the food system. Data from piloted lessons and focus groups that measure these outcomes will be presented.

Youth have tremendous untapped potential to shape the food system in ways that help to address obesity, community food insecurity, health disparities and a host of other ills. Teachers, equipped with effective educational tools, can help to unlock this potential by fostering knowledge and efficacy in their students.