Food Security

Green Schools Challenge Activities:

• Community Building (Pre-K through 1st grade) - Farming Fanatics

• Hands On Learning (2nd through 3rd grade) - What's on My Plate?

• Lab Activity (4th through 5th grade) - Sprout to Table

• Create Your Own (Pre-K through 5th grade) - Submit Lesson Plan click here  

Schools can choose to do more than one activity but maximum amount of points a school can earn for this topic is the same. Points for participation will be based on a rubric. Download here.

Food Security Activity Submission Form Click Here

What's the problem?

Food insecurity affects over 10% of American households each year, made worse by food deserts that limit access to fresh, nutritious food options. Factors such as high living costs, low wages, and systemic barriers trap families in a cycle of poverty and hunger. This crisis also strains the environment. Commercial agriculture depletes soil quality, pollutes water sources, and increases air pollution due to long distance transportation. These challenges harm public health, reinforce systemic barriers, and strain the natural resources that we rely on. 

Why should we care?

Food security significantly impacts individuals' well-being and quality of life. When families cannot afford or access nutritious food, they remain trapped in a cycle of poverty, hindering the economic growth in their communities and across the nation. A lack of reliable food can lead to social instability and higher crime rates, especially among vulnerable and marginalized communities. Globally, food security is essential for sustainable development - improving health, reducing poverty, and supporting environmental sustainability. Food shortages and insecurity can fuel international conflicts and migration, destabilizing global security. 

What can we do?

We can help address food insecurity by increasing food availability through investments in sustainable agricultural practices and better infrastructure to store and distribute food efficiently. Reducing food waste is critical, with an estimated 30-40 percent of the American food supply being wasted or thrown away. Promoting nutritional education empowers individuals to make healthier choices and stretch limited resources. Supporting food assistance programs, such as SNAP, food banks, and community food drives ensures that more people have access to healthy meals. Tackling root causes like poverty, climate change, and conflict will lead to long-term solutions that break the cycle of hunger, creating a more secure, equitable future.