Course:LFS350/Projects/F2020/CentralKootenayFoodPolicyCouncil

Project Title

Food Citizens: developing agency in students and the general public to understand their role in creating sustainable, just, climate-friendly food systems.

Organization Name

Central Kootenay Food Policy Council

Keywords

Food systems literacy program; Middle school; Impact of food choices; Infographics;

Organization Information

Mission and Vision of Organization

Mission The Central Kootenay Food Policy Council builds a just, sustainable and prosperous food system in our region by identifying challenges and opportunities and by advocating for effective policy. Vision • The Council provides a formal bridge between civil society, industry organizations and local government. • The agricultural capability of the area is realized and, along with our watersheds, is protected as part of a secure food supply for the region. • All residents of the Central Kootenay are well nourished through access to culturally appropriate food of sufficient quantity and quality, acquired in a dignified manner

Guiding Principles + Values

The Central Kootenay Food Policy Council is an independent, community-based non-profit organization, formally linked to local government but at arms length. The Council is registered under the Societies Act in British Columbia. The Council’s geographical scope includes both municipal and rural areas within the Regional District of Central Kootenay. The Council is a vehicle to unite the many and disparate actors in sustainable food systems in our region, from those engaged in hunger and access issues, to those working on conservation of water, and others seeking to enhance regional food production. It will support the growth of the food and agriculture sector and the work to ensure that all Central Kootenay residents are well-nourished. Council purposes include: 1. To serve as a forum for discussing food issues and opportunities; 2. To foster co-ordination between sectors implicated in food systems; 3. To help businesses and local government in the Central Kootenay to navigate the food policy landscape to foster vibrant food systems, 4. To discern food systems priorities and; 5. To launch or support programs and services that address local needs and that are not in competition with existing or pending food sector or civil society initiatives. Council Members shall perform the functions of their position truly, faithfully and impartially to the best of their knowledge and ability exhibiting the personal values of integrity – giving the region’s interests priority over private individual interests; honesty – being truthful and open; objectivity – making decisions based on a careful and fair analysis of the facts; accountability – being accountable to each other and to the public for decisions taken; and leadership – confronting challenges and providing direction on the issues of the day. All Council members sign on to a Code of Conduct that includes the values of integrity, accountability, respect, and impartiality

Contact Information

Abra Brynne

info@ckfoodpolicy.ca

250.777.2480

PO Box 684, Nelson, BC V1L 5R4

www.ckfoodpolicy.ca

Preferred Method of Contact

• Best method(s) to contact: Email
• Best day(s) to contact:Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
• Best time(s) to contact: Afternoons

Preferred Platform(s) for Remote Collaboration

Email

Google Meet

Zoom

Phone

Context: What challenge or issue does the project aim to address?

The Council seeks to build an understanding in the general public about how their food habits and choices either contribute to or undermine food systems that are just, sustainable and healthy. Among the many factors that affect the achievement of food systems the embody those values are systemic racism, climate change, globalization, the commodification of food, and food illiteracy. This project will develop an educational curriculum suitable for delivery to children aged 12 - 16 that will help them to understand how their every day experience of food involves choices. By helping the students to become more aware of the impact of their household food choices, we hope to enable to them to have more agency in guiding their family's and their own life-long food practices to have a more positive impact on themselves, ecosystems, marginalized people, and the planet. Ideally, the curriculum will be adaptable for delivery to the general public as well. This project is a module within a larger project that has been analyzing data to better understand the particularities and trends in the landscapes and water systems of the Central Kootenay. By creating an evidence base, we seek to provide guidance on policy development for local governments in the Central Kootenay that can better address the impacts of climate change, farm succession, changing ecosystems and demographics, among other factors

Main Project Activities

The students will work with the Executive Director of the Council to design and create a meaningful, age-appropriate food systems literacy curriculum for middle school aged children. The students will create an educational plan that addresses the key values of justice, inclusivity, sustainability and culture and how they are manifested in food systems (both positively and negatively). The plan will include suitable reading materials or other resources for selfdirected learning by the children, as well as interactive and experiential components. In addition to the expertise of the Executive Director, the students will also work with a graphic designer to create infographic(s) that focus on key lessons in the larger curriculum. If possible, the students will participate in the delivery of the curriculum through virtual events with 1) pre-selected school classrooms and / or 2) the general public. Time permitting, the students will participate in an evaluation of the curriculum implementation.

Expected Project Deliverable(s)

• A food systems literacy curriculum framework that provides: - the elaboration of learning objectives - the organization of content to achieve those objectives -
• suitable reading materials list -
• infographics and / or other visual presentations of subject matter content that enhance the learning experience -
• participation in virtual delivery of the curriculum -
• the creation and delivery of an evaluation plan -
• suggestions for adaptation and evolution of the food systems literacy program

Intended Project Outcome

The project seeks to foster "food citizens" among the learners: youth, students and the general public have an understanding of their own agency, each day, to influence the creation of more just, sustainable and vibrant food systems.

Student Assets and Skills (preferred or required)

A moderate understanding of food systems; enrolment in a bachelor of education program preferred.

Student Assets and Skills (to be developed through the project)

The application of curriculum development theory to a specific learning outcome; enhanced food systems literacy; better understanding of the particularities experienced by communities and their food systems remote from large urban centres.

Are there any mandatory attendance dates (e.g. special event)?

No mandatory. However, if students are available and interested, they would be most welcome to attend a Council meeting (virtual).

No

Preferred Days of Week and Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Any time that works for the students can be accommodated.

Students should review these materials prior to the first partner meeting:

Additional Project/Partner Orientation Materials

ckfoodpolicy.ca

The following will be provided at the first community partner meeting:

Additional orientation materials will be determined based on the students' knowledge base in dialogue with the Executive Director.

Expected Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

I hope students will learn about...

• What being a food citizen means.

I think students will come to appreciate...

• How we each have agency in creating food systems that better reflect our values.

Through this project, students will develop...

• The ability to engage with and inspire youth and others to use their daily food habits to foster just, sustainable food systems.

How does the student project contribute to your organization's mission andlong-term vision?

This project will help the Food Policy Council to reach new and younger audiences. It will provide the Council with additional tools to deepen understanding amongst residents of the Central Kootenay (and beyond) that will enable them to contribute more effectively to creating just, sustainable and vibrant food systems.

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