Sustainable Food Systems from edX

The course analyzes current food systems by examining the various aspects and stakeholders involved. It invites you to take a critical look at the different elements that make up today’s food systems. It highlights the challenges and obstacles we face in our quest for a sustainable and resilient food system.

Throughout the different modules, you will explore :

The complex challenges and determining factors that have shaped our current food systems, and their impact on planetary and human health.
The nuances between food security and food sovereignty
The nutrition transition
Solutions for more sustainable food systems, with a particular emphasis on alternative food systems and the potential of agroecology.

This course will enable you to discover concrete examples, initiatives and programs from various parts of the world, illustrating the theoretical concepts presented.

Join us in this enriching exploration of food systems and discover how they can have a profound impact on several levels.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Skills to develop :
Understand and analyze the historical, demographic, political, economic, environmental and socio-cultural factors that influence food systems
Understand the impact of current food systems on the environment and their role in climate change
Understand the concept of one health and its links to food systems, human, planetary and animal health.

Differentiate between the concepts of food security and food sovereignty.
Explore a range of interventions at different levels towards more sustainable food systems.
Discover the potential of alternative food systems and agroecology in the transition to sustainable food systems.

Skills to develop :
Understand and analyze the historical, demographic, political, economic, environmental and socio-cultural factors that influence food systems
Understand the impact of current food systems on the environment and their role in climate change
Understand the concept of one health and its links to food systems, human, planetary and animal health.
Differentiate between the concepts of food security and food sovereignty.
Explore a range of interventions at different levels towards more sustainable food systems.
Discover the potential of alternative food systems and agroecology in the transition to sustainable food systems.

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Explores the impact of current food systems on the environment and their role in climate change, which is highly relevant to environmental science

Examines the concept of One Health and its links to food systems, human, planetary, and animal health, which is useful for personal growth and development

Analyzes the historical, demographic, political, economic, environmental, and socio-cultural factors that influence food systems, which is useful for personal growth and development

Highlights the challenges and obstacles we face in our quest for a sustainable and resilient food system, which is useful for personal growth and development

Differentiates between the concepts of food security and food sovereignty, which may add color to other topics and subjects

Reviews summary

Comprehensive introduction to sustainable food systems

According to learners, the course "Sustainable Food Systems" from Université de Montréal offers a comprehensive and insightful look into the complexities of current food systems. Students highlight the high relevance of the content to global challenges and appreciate the clear explanations provided by the instructors and guest speakers. The course is seen as providing a strong foundation and is particularly valued for its diverse perspectives and examples from different regions. While some note the volume of information requires dedicated study, the overall feedback is overwhelmingly positive, praising its ability to broaden understanding and inspire critical thinking.

Includes global examples and viewpoints.

"Loved the diverse examples and perspectives shared from different parts of the world."

"The course did a great job of highlighting varied approaches to sustainable food systems globally."

"Exposure to different perspectives on food security and sovereignty was a major plus."

Excellent starting point for the topic.

"Provides a solid foundation for anyone interested in sustainable food systems."

"I feel well-equipped with fundamental knowledge after completing this course."

"Great as an introductory course, lays out key concepts clearly."

Concepts are explained effectively.

"The instructors and guest speakers explained concepts clearly and were easy to follow."

"Found the way the information was presented made complex ideas accessible."

"The lectures were well-structured and the explanations were spot on."

Addresses critical current global issues.

"The topics covered are incredibly relevant to today's world and future challenges."

"I appreciate how the course connected theory to real-world problems and solutions."

"Extremely relevant course on food systems and sustainability challenges."

Provides a broad, deep understanding.

"This course gave me a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of food systems."

"Found the content deeply insightful, covering many angles I hadn't considered before."

"It's a good overview into the subject of Sustainable Food Systems and I was able to gain a better understanding on the topic."

Content is dense, requires focus.

"The course material is quite dense, requiring careful attention and review."

"Found I needed to allocate significant time to fully absorb all the information."

"It's challenging but rewarding if you put in the effort."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Sustainable Food Systems with these activities:

Review Basic Ecology Concepts

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Reinforce your understanding of ecological principles, which are fundamental to understanding the impact of food systems on the environment.

Browse courses on Ecology

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Review key ecological concepts from past coursework.
Take a short online quiz to assess your knowledge.

Read 'Food Rules' by Michael Pollan

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Gain a better understanding of the choices consumers make and how those choices impact the food system.

View Food Rules: An Eater's Manual on Amazon

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Read the book, taking notes on key rules and principles.
Reflect on how these rules relate to sustainable food systems.

Create a Food System Map

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Visualize the interconnectedness of different components within a food system, reinforcing your understanding of its complexity.

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Identify the key components of a local or global food system.
Map the relationships and flows between these components.
Present your map in a visual format (e.g., diagram, infographic).

Four other activities

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Analyze a Local Food Initiative

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Apply course concepts to a real-world example, deepening your understanding of sustainable food system solutions.

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Identify a local food initiative (e.g., community garden, farmers market).
Research the initiative's goals, activities, and impact.
Analyze the initiative's sustainability using course concepts.
Present your findings in a report or presentation.

Read 'This Changes Everything' by Naomi Klein

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Understand the broader systemic challenges related to climate change and their impact on food systems.

View Naomi Klein Hot Money (Green Ideas) /anglais on Amazon

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Read the book, focusing on the arguments about capitalism and climate change.
Consider how these arguments relate to the sustainability of food systems.

Volunteer at a Local Farm or Food Bank

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Gain hands-on experience with food production or distribution, connecting theory to practice.

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Find a local farm or food bank that accepts volunteers.
Participate in activities such as planting, harvesting, or sorting food.
Reflect on your experience and its connection to sustainable food systems.

Design a Sustainable Meal Plan

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Apply your knowledge of sustainable food systems to create a practical and actionable plan for yourself or others.

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Research sustainable food choices and ingredients.
Create a meal plan that incorporates these choices.
Consider factors such as seasonality, local availability, and environmental impact.
Document your meal plan with recipes and nutritional information.

Career center

Learners who complete Sustainable Food Systems will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Food Systems Analyst

A food systems analyst examines the various components and interactions within food systems, and this course directly provides the foundation for this work. This course analyzes current food systems by examining the various aspects and stakeholders involved. The course's coverage of the historical, demographic, political, economic, environmental, and socio-cultural factors that influence food systems helps a food systems analyst understand the complexity of food systems. The course may be useful to the student as it also explores solutions for more sustainable food systems, with an emphasis on alternative systems and agroecology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Food Systems Analyst

Sustainability Consultant

A sustainability consultant helps organizations adopt more environmentally friendly practices, and this course on sustainable food systems provides a critical understanding of how food production and consumption impact the planet. The course's analysis of the historical, demographic, and environmental factors influencing food systems builds a foundation for developing effective sustainability strategies within the food industry and beyond. This course will also help you understand the nuances between concepts such as food security and food sovereignty. The exploration of alternative systems and agroecology also helps a sustainability consultant develop practical solutions for their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Food Policy Analyst

A food policy analyst examines and develops policies related to food production, distribution, and consumption, and this course on sustainable food systems is directly relevant to that role. This course helps a food policy analyst understand the complex challenges and determining factors that have shaped current food systems and their impact on both human and planetary health. The course's examination of food security, food sovereignty, and the nutrition transition are crucial for developing informed and effective policies. The course may be useful to the student as it explores interventions and potential alternative systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Food Policy Analyst

Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

A corporate social responsibility manager is responsible for developing and implementing a company's sustainability initiatives. For a manager in the food industry, this course on sustainable food systems directly applies to their work. This course helps the manager to understand the various factors that influence food systems, as well as their impact on the environment. The exploration of alternative food systems and agroecology may be useful when a corporate social responsibility manager is seeking to improve their companies' operations. The course's perspective on food security and sovereignty can also help the manager develop a more holistic sustainability strategy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Agricultural Consultant

An agricultural consultant advises farmers and agricultural businesses on best practices, and this course helps an agricultural consultant to explore the potential for more sustainable practices. The course explores the challenges and determining factors that influence current food systems, and how they affect the environment. This background helps an agricultural consultant understand the necessity for more sustainable practices and understand the potential of alternative systems. This course's specific focus on agroecology is particularly useful, helping the consultant understand the ways to implement more environmentally friendly and healthy agricultural practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Agricultural Consultant

Environmental Scientist

An environmental scientist studies the environment and its relationship with human activity. This course on sustainable food systems is useful to such a scientist, as it specifically addresses the impact of food systems on the environment and climate change. The course helps the environmental scientist understand the complexities of food production and the various factors that influence them. By examining the historical, economic, and socio-cultural factors of food systems, the environmental scientist can approach environmental problems with a more nuanced view. The course's discussion of concrete examples and initiatives from around the world can also help the environmental scientist understand the practicalities of implementing sustainable solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Agricultural Extension Agent

An agricultural extension agent provides guidance to farmers and other agricultural professionals. This course on sustainable food systems provides essential knowledge and perspective for the extension agent. The course's exploration of the complexities of food systems can help the agent to provide more informed advice to agricultural professionals. The course's focus on agroecology and alternative systems is useful for the agent as they propose more sustainable growing methods. The course also explores the impact of food production on the environment, which helps the extension agent to promote environmentally conscious practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Agricultural Extension Agent

Research Scientist

A research scientist conducts research on various topics, and this course on sustainable food systems provides important background information and context relevant to the study of food systems. This course's focus on the challenges and determining factors shaping current food systems, as well as its emphasis on the impact on the environment and human health, can help a research scientist develop more complex and relevant research questions. The course's introduction to different interventions and alternative systems may also be useful when developing experimental research. The course also examines the impact of systems on human, planetary, and animal health which is useful to the research scientist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

Nonprofit Program Manager

A nonprofit program manager oversees programs at nonprofit organizations, and this course helps a manager who might be working on programs related to sustainable food systems. This course will help a nonprofit program manager understand the complex challenges associated with food systems. The course's focus on food security, food sovereignty, and alternate systems would be helpful for a program manager to create meaningful programs for their organization. The course also examines the impact of food systems on planetary and human health which is important to the program manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Program Manager

Public Health Specialist

A public health specialist works to improve the health of communities, and this course helps a public health specialist understand the impact of food systems on public health. This course provides a crucial understanding of the links between food systems, human health and planetary health. The course examines the nutrition transition and challenges related to food security and food sovereignty, which are critical for understanding and addressing public health problems related to nutrition. The course may be useful to the public health specialist, as it also introduces different interventions for more sustainable food systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Specialist

Community Organizer

A community organizer works with local communities to bring about positive change, and this course's focus on the challenges and potential solutions within food systems provides valuable insight for a community organizer. The course's examination of food security, food sovereignty, and alternative food systems will help a community organizer understand the needs and challenges of their community. The course's discussion of concrete examples and initiatives can provide useful models for a community organizer to adapt and implement. This course helps a community organizer understand the potential for food systems to impact their community, and how to develop strategies for improvement.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Organizer

Urban Planner

An urban planner helps develop sustainable and functional urban environments, and this course helps urban planners to understand the relationship between urban areas and food systems. The course's analysis of food systems and its impact on the environment can help an urban planner consider how to integrate food production and distribution in an urban environment. This course also explores the nutrition transition which can help an urban planner to address issues related to food access and health in urban settings. The course may be useful to the urban planner, as it also provides information on potential alternative systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Nutritionist

A nutritionist provides guidance on diet and nutrition, and this course helps a nutritionist understand the broader context within which individual dietary recommendations are made. The course's discussion of the nutrition transition and its impact on health, as well as its examination of food security and food sovereignty, can be useful to a nutritionist. In this course, an individual can deepen their understanding of planetary health and how food systems impacts both the environment and human health. The course may be useful for the student and its discussion of alternative food systems can also help a nutritionist consider ways in which to promote more sustainable dietary practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nutritionist

Food Retail Manager

A food retail manager oversees the operations of grocery stores or food markets. This course can help a food retail manager understand the larger context within which they work, including the impact of food systems on both human and planetary health. The course's analysis of the challenges and determining factors that have shaped current food systems can provide the food retail manager with a better understanding of the supply chain and the issues related to food security and food sovereignty. The course may also be useful to the manager, as it touches on alternative systems that can help inform decisions about product selection.

See salaries and explore the career path for Food Retail Manager

Logistics Coordinator

A logistics coordinator is responsible for the transportation and storage of goods, and this course helps provide perspective on the importance of food systems. The course’s analysis of the various aspects of food systems can help the logistics coordinator understand the complexities of the food supply chain and the challenges related to distribution. This course also examines the environmental impacts of different food systems which may be useful for those seeking to make their logistical practices more sustainable. The course may also be useful for the logistics coordinator, as it touches on alternative systems which may have an impact on the logistics of food distribution.

See salaries and explore the career path for Logistics Coordinator

Sustainable Food Systems

What's inside

Learning objectives

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive introduction to sustainable food systems

Activities

Career center

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