Unit 3: Food Systems in Action

You will examine the food system in action through the roles and contributions of key stakeholders committed to establishing integrated networks centered on "healthy food access." You will be able to discuss effective strategies to build local partnerships to meet the needs of a community. You will be able to predict consequences to the health, economy, and environment as a result of non-sustainable food systems.

Activity 3.1: Overview of Unit 3 (approximate time: 30–45 min)

The instructor will introduce the unit. It is important that you keep the activities, concepts, and themes from Unit 2 in mind as you progress through Unit 3. The instructor will reinforce understanding of the previous and current concepts and themes.

The Food for Us Report Executive Summary http://www.growinggreen.org/portals/7/docs/FoodForUs.pdf is assigned as homework reading before Activity 3.2 to provide a sense of the various stakeholders involved in building and operating a food system. You should be encouraged to explore the 2015 Leon County (Florida) Sustainable Communities Summit web page and find videos that demonstrate food systems in action.

Activity 3.2 Discussion of Food for Us Report (approximate time: 45–60 min)

Your instructor will lead a discussion based the Executive Summary in Food for Us — the Report on the 2015 Leon County Sustainable Communities Summit http://www.growinggreen.org/portals/7/docs/FoodForUs.pdf .

The discussion will also use information in the Unit 2 slides, especially the food system diagrams, the five dimensions of food access, the goal of good food, food systems opportunities and challenges, and elements of the food system. The discussion will also return at some point to what was learned from the interview with the urban farmer in Unit 2 and explore the videos that students viewed in Unit 2 Activity 2.1.

Student homework is to read for class discussion the Community Food Conversation Scenario The Food Conversation Scenario (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 17kB Aug14 17), in preparation for a group written analysis to follow in Activity 3.3.

Activity 3.3 Scenario Analysis (approximate time: 60–75 min)

Working in groups, develop a written analysis of the Community Food Conversation Scenario (Acrobat (PDF) 36kB Aug14 17), as put forth in the summative assessment. If more time is needed for group discussion before writing can begin, the writing assignment may be done or completed as a homework assignment.

• Summative assessment: In Activity 3.3: Community Food Conversation Scenario (Acrobat (PDF) 36kB Aug14 17), give the perspectives and arguments of eight distinct role players based on a community engagement scenario. This scenario is centered on the dynamics of a food system and its challenges.