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In this activity, students trace foods from their source of origin to the consumer and environmental costs associated with each step in food production, then provide recommendations for sustainable food options. For the abbreviated version, you will find out the potential carbon impact of foods and beverages you eat weekly, and share your thoughts about potential options to reduce your "food footprint."
Background
Background
In the past, many cultivated their own food, or obtained it from a local producer. Today, a large portion of the population in the United States gets their food at a grocery store with limited knowledge of where or how it was produced.
Think about an item like a loaf of bread. It includes wheat flour, salt, yeast, water, butter and oil. What does it take to obtain or produce those ingredients? What is involved with making, packaging, and transporting the bread to the store? All the impacts of those activities is the "footprint" of the loaf of bread.
How might producing a loaf of bread and transporting it to the grocery store impact our natural resources? Wildlife?
Impact of food production
Impact of food production
As we look to be more sustainable in our choices, the impact of our food is significant. According to an article published by the BBC,
"The food we eat makes up a sizable portion of our individual carbon footprint – depending on where you live and what you dine on, it can account for between 10-30% of your household’s greenhouse gas emissions. The entire food system – which includes the production, packaging, transportation and disposal of everything we eat – accounts for 21-37% of all human-produced greenhouse gas emissions. By 2050, our food could account for almost half of all carbon emissions released by human activity unless more steps are taken to reduce its environmental impact."
Follow the food
Follow the food
Use the BBC's Foodprint Calculator to find out the potential environmental impact of foods and beverages you eat weekly . Note that this calculator is based on average data from many parts of the world and where/how food is produced can affect actual impacts. It also has specific choices you can make. It is meant to provide you with "food for thought."
Visit the Food Footprint jamboard and share your thoughts.
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