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Reducing Food Waste

Secondary, Middle

Description

As you throw away an overripe banana or last week's spoiled leftovers, do you ever think about the environmental and socioeconomic consequences? This short video, hosted by teens, explains how food waste contributes to methane emissions, raises food prices, and reduces food availability while highlighting practical solutions such as composting, meal planning, and food sharing. Accompanied by discussion questions and extension activities, including a reading and computer research task, this resource introduces students to the issue of food waste through a solutions-based approach that inspires students to rethink the value of the food they eat and the food they throw away.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This video supports a variety of Grade 6-10 subjects in which students are learning about the connections between food, consumer choice, waste reduction and sustainability. Pupils also develop an understanding of the relationship between individual action, community stewardship and global responsibility.  

A significant amount of food waste occurs in schools and students often discard lunch items they do not want or do not have enough time to eat. Students could extend their learning by organizing a school-wide food waste reduction campaign that engages teachers, parents, cafeteria staff and community volunteers. Second Harvest's School Food Waste Challenge offers free resources, activities and support to help schools reduce waste and build more sustainable habits. More information about this program can be found here.

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

  • Step 1Select a province
  • Alberta
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Technological Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Stewardship 1010: Introduction to Stewardship
  • Manitoba
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Technological Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Human Ecology: Food and Nutrition - Citizenship and Sustainability
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Technological Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Human Ecology: Food and Nutrition - Citizenship and Sustainability
    • Grade 9
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Technological Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Human Ecology: Food and Nutrition - Citizenship and Sustainability
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Technological Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Human Ecology: Food and Nutrition - Citizenship and Sustainability
  • Nova Scotia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 7: Environmental Action
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Home Economics
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Food and Nutrition 8: The Food Consumer
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 8: Climate Change

Themes Addressed

Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)

  • Climate Change

Citizenship (2)

  • General Guide to Taking Action
  • Sustainable Consumption

Waste Management (1)

  • Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

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