Why educate students about food and sustainability? |
Much of our food system depends on our not knowing much about it, beyond the price disclosed by the checkout scanner; cheapness and ignorance are mutually reinforcing. And it's a short way from not knowing who's at the other end of your food chain to not caring–to the carelessness of both producers and consumers that characterizes our economy today. Of course, the global economy couldn't very well function without this wall of ignorance and the indifference it breeds. This is why the American food industry and its international counterparts fight to keep their products from telling even the simplest stories...about how they were produced. The more knowledge people have about the way their food is produced, the more likely it is that their values–and not just "value"–will inform their purchasing decisions.
--Michael Pollan, Omnivore's Dilemma
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Brookline High is an institution dedicated to preparing students to meet future challenges: why do we devote so little education to sustainability?
When we neglect creating opportunities to train students to become stewards of their political and economic realities, we sacrifice sustainability, democracy and food security. Our budgets and curricula are statements about our values: Where climate, consumption and sustainability are concerned, Brookline High is transmitting that we value passivity.
Teaching about food and the natural environment as one dimension of sustainability creates an opportunity for any student to connect immediately to the curriculum--we can all relate immediately to the food system. It provides opportunities for interdisciplinary learning (Food and culture, food and social policy, food and economic disparity, food and environment, etc.). Students can grow food, engage in service projects that involve food, and so on. And we are surrounded by a wealth of expertise and innovation in and around Brookline
The BHS renovation plans are moving towards completion, and we have an opportunity to push for including raised beds, a greenhouse, solar panels, a wind turbine, bees and outdoor classroom space.
When we neglect creating opportunities to train students to become stewards of their political and economic realities, we sacrifice sustainability, democracy and food security. Our budgets and curricula are statements about our values: Where climate, consumption and sustainability are concerned, Brookline High is transmitting that we value passivity.
Teaching about food and the natural environment as one dimension of sustainability creates an opportunity for any student to connect immediately to the curriculum--we can all relate immediately to the food system. It provides opportunities for interdisciplinary learning (Food and culture, food and social policy, food and economic disparity, food and environment, etc.). Students can grow food, engage in service projects that involve food, and so on. And we are surrounded by a wealth of expertise and innovation in and around Brookline
The BHS renovation plans are moving towards completion, and we have an opportunity to push for including raised beds, a greenhouse, solar panels, a wind turbine, bees and outdoor classroom space.
We may sponsor a public summit to solicit input at some point. We need input from:
Interested? Go here to provide input.
- Gardeners
- Program designers
- Funders
- Youth advocates
- Public health advocates
- Others who are knowledgable and interested in supporting a student-led Food Program.
Interested? Go here to provide input.