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Learning, Food, and Sustainability in the School Curriculum

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Learning, Food, and Sustainability

Abstract

We all need to eat food regularly in order to survive. Yet, our global food system runs on a bottom line of corporate profits and a frank disregard for health, ecological sustainability, social justice, and equity. One way to move toward a food system that keeps us—and the planet—healthy is for all citizens to become more food literate. Imagine a world where how our food system works is common knowledge, instead of only in the hands of corporate executives. Imagine a world where everyone has the ability and desire to make “good food” choices and knows at least a bit about how to grow and cook food. Imagine a world where “green-washing” and food packages with false and confusing health claims are a thing of the past.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Good food is defined as food that is healthy, green, fair, and accessible/affordable.

  2. 2.

    This makes the education take on a broader “system-blame” approach which can build the power, excitement, and awareness needed to change and is more effective than education that either directly or indirectly takes an individualistic “victim-blame” approach that makes it appear that choices are our free will, which can make people feel guilty about their own actions, mask the power and influence of the food system, and often stifle change.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Program in Nutrition, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Pamela A. Koch

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  1. Pamela A. Koch
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Jennifer Sumner

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Koch, P.A. (2016). Learning, Food, and Sustainability in the School Curriculum. In: Sumner, J. (eds) Learning, Food, and Sustainability. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-53904-5_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-53904-5_4

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, New York

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-53903-8

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