FOOD JUSTICE CURRICULUM
Featured on the NYC DOE website, our Food Justice curriculum introduces students to issues such as land management, food insecurity, and environmental racism within American and global food systems
Written by BIPOC organizers and reviewed by community organizations, activists, and teachers, our Food Justice curriculum provides a framework to critically look at how we produce, buy, consume, and dispose of food.
Our Modules
Linking Food with Identity
In BIPOC communities, food is a crucial means of identity preservation amidst assimilation pressures. Passed-down recipes serve as resistance against dominant narratives and colonialism, offering a taste of home and tradition. However, the appropriation of diverse cuisines by white chefs lacking historical or cultural ties raises ethical concerns. While globalization fosters culinary diversity, it's essential to discern between appropriation and acculturation to respect cultural integrity. This module explores the complexities of food as a cultural marker and the importance of ethical engagement in culinary practices within diverse communities.
Food Insecurity & Data Analysis
Students will explore the challenges that families encounter in regards to food access in places such as New York City. Students will interpret and explain data on poverty, food insecurity, and health disparities expressed in various types of graphs and tables to explore this issue.
Composting 101
This module introduces students to the food system, greenhouse gases, and the methane cycle. While carbon dioxide often dominates discussions on global warming, methane emissions, primarily from landfills, are equally significant. Students explore the potent impact of methane on climate change and its interconnected relationship with food waste. Through hands-on activities like creating compost systems, students learn about recycling nutrients to soil, mitigating methane emissions, and fostering sustainable practices within the food system.
Food Waste & Solutions
Provides an overview of the food system and waste management. Students will explore the journey of food from production to consumption, understanding the roles of various actors involved. Students will also learn about the distinction between food waste and food loss along the supply chain. By grasping the significance of methane and carbon dioxide emissions, students are introduced to alternative practices aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the ecosystem.
Mutual Aid & Community Mapping
Focuses on how mutual aid fosters food justice in communities. Students will utilize internet research and personal insights to create a map showcasing community assets and resources in a specific area. The map will highlights individuals, structures, organizations, and institutions unique to the neighborhood, emphasizing collective efforts for social equity in accessing food resources. Through this module, students gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness and resilience within their community, empowering them to contribute to ongoing food justice initiatives.
The History of Bananas
Delves into the history and complexities of the banana industry's dominance in global markets. Students will analyze the role of different actors and the far-reaching impact of U.S. imperialism on foreign countries and the environment. Through this module, students will gain insights into the interconnected issues of economic power, environmental sustainability, and global inequality inherent in the banana trade.