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Toward Food System Sustainability through School Food System Change: Think&EatGreen@School and the Making of a Community-University Research Alliance

Author

Listed:
  • Alejandro Rojas

    (Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 179-2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada)

  • Will Valley

    (Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 179-2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada)

  • Brent Mansfield

    (Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 179-2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada)

  • Elena Orrego

    (Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 179-2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada)

  • Gwen E. Chapman

    (Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 179-2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada)

  • Yael Harlap

    (Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology, University of British Columbia, I.K. Barber Learning Centre, 1961 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada)

Abstract

This paper describes the theoretical and conceptual framework and the research and practice model of Think&EatGreen@School, a community-based action research project aiming to foster food citizenship in the City of Vancouver and to develop a model of sustainable institutional food systems in public schools. The authors argue that educational and policy interventions at the school and school board level can drive the goals of food system sustainability, food security, and food sovereignty. The complex relationship between food systems, climate change and environmental degradation require that international initiatives promoting sustainability be vigorously complemented by local multi-stakeholder efforts to preserve or restore the capacity to produce food in a durable manner. As a step towards making the City of Vancouver green, we are currently involved in attempts to transform the food system of the local schools by mobilizing the energy of a transdisciplinary research team of twelve university researchers, over 300 undergraduate and graduate students, and twenty community-based researchers and organizations working on food, public health, environmental and sustainability education.

Suggested Citation

  • Alejandro Rojas & Will Valley & Brent Mansfield & Elena Orrego & Gwen E. Chapman & Yael Harlap, 2011. "Toward Food System Sustainability through School Food System Change: Think&EatGreen@School and the Making of a Community-University Research Alliance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 3(5), pages 1-26, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:3:y:2011:i:5:p:763-788:d:12490
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Minh Ngo & Michael Brklacich, 2014. "New farmers’ efforts to create a sense of place in rural communities: insights from southern Ontario, Canada," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 31(1), pages 53-67, March.
    2. Paola Caputo & Chiara Ducoli & Matteo Clementi, 2014. "Strategies and Tools for Eco-Efficient Local Food Supply Scenarios," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-21, January.
    3. Alina Simona Tecau & Cristina Dimitriu & Nicolae Marinescu & Bianca Tescasiu & Gheorghe Epuran, 2020. "A Qualitative Research on the Food Security of School Children in the Rural Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-13, October.
    4. Sarah E. Cramer & Anna L. Ball & Mary K. Hendrickson, 2019. "“Our school system is trying to be agrarian”: educating for reskilling and food system transformation in the rural school garden," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 36(3), pages 507-519, September.
    5. Andrea Micangeli & Vincenzo Naso & Emanuele Michelangeli & Apollonia Matrisciano & Francesca Farioli & Nicola P. Belfiore, 2014. "Attitudes toward Sustainability and Green Economy Issues Related to Some Students Learning Their Characteristics: A Preliminary Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(6), pages 1-20, May.
    6. Camelia F. Oroian & Calin O. Safirescu & Rezhen Harun & Gabriela O. Chiciudean & Felix H. Arion & Iulia C. Muresan & Bianca M. Bordeanu, 2017. "Consumers’ Attitudes towards Organic Products and Sustainable Development: A Case Study of Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-14, September.
    7. Godwin Glivin & S. Joseph Sekhar, 2016. "Experimental and Analytical Studies on the Utilization of Biowastes Available in an Educational Institution in India," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-9, November.
    8. Héctor Hugo & Felipe Espinoza & Ivetheyamel Morales & Elías Ortiz & Saúl Pérez & Galo Salcedo, 2018. "Delta Project: Towards a Sustainable Campus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-27, October.

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