Insights from the Think&EatGreen@School Project: How a community-based action research project contributed to healthy and sustainable school food systems in Vancouver

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15353/cfs-rcea.v4i2.225

Keywords:

food systems, Community-Engaged Scholarship, Community-Based Action Research, school, Vancouver

Abstract

From 2010 to 2016 the Think&EatGreen@School project worked to create healthy and sustainable school food systems in the Vancouver School Board.  Using models of Community-Engaged Scholarship and Community-Based Action Research, we implemented diverse programmatic and monitoring activities to provide students and teachers with hands-on food cycle education, in order to influence policy, and to encourage university students to engage actively with the food system. Our focus was on transformation of local school food systems as a context-specific means to address serious global issues related to food security, health and environmental sustainability. This paper provides a synthesis of the project including the context that led to its inception, its overarching goals, methodological framework and areas of impact.  Key learnings from this project highlight the need for continued work to integrate research, teaching and action on global food security, environmental and public health challenges and to build connections to create healthy, sustainable school food systems.


 

Author Biographies

Alejandro Rojas, University of British Columbia

 

 

 

Jennifer Black, University of British Columbia

Jennifer L. Black  PhD RD
Assistant Professor
Faculty of Land and Food Systems | Food, Nutrition and Health
The University of British Columbia | Vancouver Campus
2205 East Mall | Vancouver BC | V6T1Z4 Canada
Phone 604 822 6869

Email: j.black@ubc.ca
Website: http://phun.landfood.ubc.ca/

a participant listens to a sound installation at Le Chic Resto Pop

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Published

2017-12-22

How to Cite

Rojas, A., Black, J., Orrego, E., Chapman, G., & Valley, W. (2017). Insights from the Think&EatGreen@School Project: How a community-based action research project contributed to healthy and sustainable school food systems in Vancouver. Canadian Food Studies La Revue Canadienne Des études Sur l’alimentation, 4(2), 25–46. https://doi.org/10.15353/cfs-rcea.v4i2.225

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2 (2017): Opportunities and spaces for change

Section

Field Reports / Narratives

License

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