Enhancing Food And Nutrition Curricula In Higher Education By Assigning Collaborative Food System Assessment Projects

Abstract

Student engagement in higher education is important. Some professional healthcare programs, however, can become quite focused and competitive, limiting the potential for positive student engagement and for students to see how their field of study fits within larger systems. Food system assessments are an ideal way to see the interconnectedness of all parts of a food cycle for a city or region. This case study describes food system assessments conducted by 165 undergraduate students in their first year of a Food and Nutritional Sciences program. Using collaborative, problem-based learning and a photovoice approach, the goal was to help students appreciate the entire food cycle, not just the consumption aspect that dominates much of nutrition education and practice. Students gleaned information about food production, processing, distribution, and waste from their site visits. They also calculated the food miles and CO2 emissions for two foods purchased in their assigned neighborhood. With their final reports, students submitted electronic versions of photographs, which were viewed and discussed during in-class focus groups. The potential for home/community food production prompted the most discussion. While logistics and collaborative learning presented some challenges, this participatory and reflective learning experience promoted positive student engagement among students in higher education. Educators in other university programs may consider enhancing their curricula by assigning collaborative food system assessment projects.