FoodSpan

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.

View our Lesson Plans

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.

Four Reasons Teachers Should Download Our Lesson Plans

Inquiry based

Inquiry-based

Students engage in active problem solving, developing questions, and investigating to find solutions

free

Free

Developed for teachers who want to empower their students to effectively engage with food system issues

standard aligned

Standards-aligned

Lessons are aligned with national education standards in science, social studies, health and family & consumer sciences

classroom ready

Classroom-ready

Lessons, resources, and activities are easy to implement in the classroom

Teaching the Food System from Farm to Fork