Food Security
Food Security
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What's the problem?
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food security as “access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life.” There are many components to food security, including access, distribution, stability of supply, and use. The opposite of food security - food insecurity - is defined by the USDA as “a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food.” Food insecurity involves both quantity and quality (nutritional value) of food. Following this vein, food deserts are areas where access to nutritious food is limited. They are often delegated by socio-economic and racial biases. Food insecurity has been worsened by climate change and unsustainable farming practices, leaving land that was once fertile is no longer suitable for farming. At sea, aquatic food harvests are decreasing due to overexploitation and overfishing. The transportation of food from international (and even some national) sources also contributes a not insignificant amount to our annual carbon dioxide emissions -- 6%, according to some sources, which is 19% of the total emissions released by the food industry and related processes. According to the U.S. Department of State’s Global Food Security Strategy Plan, “the increasing challenge of changing climate patterns and extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and extended periods of extreme temperatures pose major challenges to global food security.”
Why should we care?
South Florida’s agricultural industry is one of the most diverse in the country and is supported by a year-round growing season. In addition to the environmental and aesthetic benefits, Miami-Dade County’s agriculture alone provides 20,000 jobs and generates almost 3 billion dollars annually. Our reliance on agriculture for survival, and the economic prosperity it provides us, demonstrates the need for sustainable agriculture practices that will prevent its decline. “Sustainable agriculture integrates environmental health, economic viability, and social equity to ensure long-term productivity of natural resources and improved livelihoods” (USAID). The climate challenge places continued stress on both terrestrial and marine ecosystems, fisheries, and the land, water, and natural resources upon which productive agriculture relies. Coming up with new food production practices is a necessity.
What can we do?
The main goals are developing new tools and approaches for increasing agricultural productivity, monitoring and managing the threats and risks, closely regulating natural resources related to food supply, adapting to changes caused by climate change, and mitigating the effects and production of greenhouse gasses. The USDA provides various solutions for farmers looking to adopt sustainable agriculture practices. Among these are planting cover crops, applying integrated pest management, establishing a crop rotation, and monitoring their tillage practices for soil enrichment. Schools can take action by sourcing food locally and creating garden-based and agriscience curriculum. Community gardens offer an affordable way to obtain local, nutritious foods while having a direct role in their cultivation, and a more involved relationship with where their food comes from will teach children about sustainable farming and nutrition. On a more individual basis, eating locally farmed and sustainable foods (like lionfish and mahi mahi here in South Florida) and making smart seafood choices is a massive step towards reducing your carbon footprint.
Elementary Lessons:
Community Building (Pre-K through 1st grade) - Vegetable Relay
Hands On Learning (2nd through 3rd grade) - It's On the Label
Lab Activity (4th through 5th grade) - Soil Science
Middle Lesson:
STE(A)M Activity - How Can Feeding the Planet Change the Ocean?
High Lesson:
STE(A)M Activity - Food Waste Audit
Create Your Own (Pre-K through 12th grade) - Submit Lesson Plan 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.
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