Fighting Food Waste—Good Old Boys or Young Minds Solutions? Insights from the Young Foodwaste Fighters Club

Abstract

Food waste is a major problem, and it is estimated that 1/3 of all food is wasted. The climate crisis has fuelled an interest in looking for solutions as well as increased interest from youth to take action. School plays an important role here. The research goal was to explore that role in developing young people’s engagement with food system change. The challenge of food waste was used as a case to create new solutions, while at the same time to create learning. The YouFoo Club program was used for the study and included 4 schools. It built on Project Based Learning, the Knowledge Triangle, and the concepts of 21st century skills; took advantage of scientific and digital principles; ran for 8 weeks; and concluded on International Food Waste Day. A sample of schools was recruited, the process was structured as a case competition, and the end goal was to present the solutions at the final event. The research shows that it is possible to bring youth into solution making, that the process contributed to learning, and that it fitted well with principles of Education for Sustainable Development. The following were found to be drivers: understanding evidence and knowledge, insight into digital technologies, the possibility of being able to work with mentors and role models, the possibility of participating in external projects, the setting of clear performance-oriented end goals, and the understanding of the importance of developing science communication skills.