FoodSpan
Teaching the Food System from Farm to Fork
This free, downloadable curriculum provides high school students with a deep understanding of critical food system issues, empowers them to make healthy and responsible food choices, and encourages them to become advocates for food system change.
What is the Food System?
The food system spans the activities, people and resources involved in getting food from field to plate. Along the way, it intersects with aspects of public health, equity and the environment.
Why Teach the Food System?
The public has shown a growing concern for food system issues. Widespread problems such as chronic illness, infectious disease, social inequality, animal welfare harms, environmental degradation, and the concentration of economic power have ties to the food system. Recognizing these connections can empower young people to become not only informed consumers, but also food citizens who can engage in many facets of the food system, from growing their own food to advocating for policies.
Film Brings Lessons to Life
Discover how students in small-town Nebraska are shaking up their food environment.
Take FoodSpan Action
Join a growing number of students empowered to influence food system policy in their community.
Rethinking Farming
Some cutting-edge farmers are becoming part of the solution to crises like climate change and soil loss.
Turning Toward Sustainability
What kind of agriculture should we strive toward, and how will we get there?
Our Changing Climate
Changing weather patterns. Changing sea levels. Changing food systems. Teaching climate change starts with the facts.
Four Reasons Teachers Should Download Our Lesson Plans
Inquiry-based
Students engage in active problem solving, developing questions, and investigating to find solutions
Free
Developed for teachers who want to empower their students to effectively engage with food system issues
Standards-aligned
Lessons are aligned with national education standards in science, social studies, health and family & consumer sciences
Classroom-ready
Lessons, resources, and activities are easy to implement in the classroom