Sustainable Food Security: Food Access from edX

Food access: Learn about food supply and food security

Have you ever considered that you’re not the only one who decides what food ends up on your plate? In this environmental studies course, you’ll explore how key actors at household, local, national and international levels negotiate and make choices on access to food. You will understand why the choices you make have been predestined. And you will learn what it takes to provide access to a safe and nutritious food supply every day.

For whom?

This introductory course is taught by instructors with decades of experience in university teaching and real life projects about access to food all over the world. This course will be beneficial to students, food and nutrition policy makers, development practitioners and trainers at international, national, household and individual level.

Wageningen University is specialized

The University of Wageningen offers an excellent combination of conducting research worldwide and educating in the area of ‘healthy food and living environment’. The institute ranks among the top Dutch universities and has scored the third place in the Times Higher Education (THE) World Ranking 2017 for research performance. Learn from professors who have gained decades of experience from both teaching at a specialized university and real life projects about access to food worldwide.

XSeries

This MOOC is part of the XSeries programme Food Security and Sustainability, which learns you more about how we can feed the world with its growing population and wealth in a sustainable way. The other courses in this XSeries are Sustainable Food Security: Crop Production and Sustainable Food Security: The Value of Systems Thinking.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand that food manufacturing has changed during the past century
Understand the basic principles of food access
Understand actors’ choices influencing food access

Discern dilemmas at household, local, national and international levels.
Unravelling the connections between levels and actors regarding access to food
After successful completion of both practice and graded assignments related to this course, you will:

Understand that food manufacturing has changed during the past century
Understand the basic principles of food access
Understand actors’ choices influencing food access
Discern dilemmas at household, local, national and international levels.
Unravelling the connections between levels and actors regarding access to food
After successful completion of both practice and graded assignments related to this course, you will:

Syllabus

Week 1: Setting the sceneIntroduction to food access as one of the pillars of global food security

Week 2: Households accessing and allocating foodIntroduction to social and economic determinants shaping access to food between and within households

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches basic principles of food access, which may be valuable in students' future career paths

Taught by professors with expertise in global food access, which may provide students with valuable insights and knowledge in a particular topic

Develops foundational knowledge regarding understanding food access, which may be valuable for students seeking to expand their understanding of food access

Examines connections between levels and actors regarding access to food, which may add color to other related topics

Students will have an opportunity to practice and complete graded assignments to assess their understanding throughout the course

Requires students to come with basic understanding of food access, which may pose a barrier to students seeking introductory-level material

Reviews summary

Comprehensive introduction to food access

According to learners, this course provides a largely positive and comprehensive exploration of food access as a pillar of global food security. Students found the course structure, which covers topics from the household to the international level, to be well-organized and effective in linking different scales of analysis. A significant number of reviewers praised the expert instructors from Wageningen University, highlighting their knowledge and ability to make complex topics understandable. While many appreciated that the course offers a solid introduction suitable for various backgrounds, some found the depth of coverage limited for those with prior expertise, noting it is primarily an introductory course. Overall, the course is seen as providing valuable insights and a strong foundation in understanding the multifaceted challenges of food access.

Provides a foundation; may lack depth for experts

"This course is great for beginners wanting to understand food access basics."

"Good introduction, but I hoped for more advanced details on specific policy mechanisms."

"Perfect if you're completely new to food security concepts, less so if you have a strong background."

Content is practical and applicable to real issues

"I learned practical ways to think about food access issues in my community."

"The course connected theory to current food security challenges effectively."

"Provided valuable insights applicable to policy and development work."

Instructors are knowledgeable and engaging

"The professors were excellent, clearly experts in their field, and presented the material well."

"Instructors made complex topics easy to understand with clear explanations and examples."

"Their real-world experience added so much value to the lectures."

Covers food access from household to international levels

"I appreciated the coverage from household to international levels, showing the interconnectedness."

"Great overview of food access dynamics at different scales – really eye-opening."

"The structure connecting local, national, and international aspects was very helpful for context."

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 Security: Food Access with these activities:

Review actors influencing food access

Show steps

Review the different actors involved in food access, their roles, and how they impact food security.

Browse courses on Food Access

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Identify the key actors involved in food access at different levels.
Research the roles and responsibilities of each actor.
Analyze the interactions between different actors and how they affect food access.

Show all one activities

Career center

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

Economist

Economists analyze and interpret economic data to inform decision-making. This course provides a foundation in the economic principles that shape food access at local, national, and international levels.

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Public Health Nutritionist

Public Health Nutritionists apply nutritional principles to improve public health. This course helps build a foundation in the social and economic factors that influence food access within households and communities.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research and analyze public policy issues to inform policy-making. This course provides insights into the complex policy choices that affect food access at local, national, and international levels.

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Food Security Analyst

Food Security Analysts assess and monitor food security situations to develop and implement interventions. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the principles and challenges of ensuring food access for all.

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Development Officer

Development Officers manage and implement development programs to address poverty and inequality. This course enhances understanding of the role of food access in sustainable development.

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Food Systems Coordinator

Food Systems Coordinators collaborate with stakeholders to build and manage sustainable food systems. This course provides knowledge of the complex interactions between food production, distribution, and access.

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Food Access Manager

Food Access Managers plan and implement programs to increase access to nutritious food for underserved populations. This course helps develop the skills and knowledge needed to address food insecurity at the local level.

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Market Research Analyst

Market Research Analysts gather and analyze data on consumer behavior and market trends. This course provides insights into the factors that influence food consumption and access, informing marketing strategies.

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Food Bank Manager

Food Bank Managers oversee the operations of food banks, providing food assistance to low-income individuals and families. This course deepens understanding of the challenges and strategies in providing food access to the most vulnerable.

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Urban Planner

Urban Planners design and manage urban environments. This course may provide valuable insights into the role of food access in urban planning, shaping sustainable and equitable cities.

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Food Entrepreneur

Food Entrepreneurs create and manage food-related businesses. This course may inspire innovative approaches to address food access and contribute to sustainable food systems.

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Food Justice Advocate

Food Justice Advocates work to promote equitable access to food and address food insecurity. This course strengthens understanding of the systemic barriers to food access and strategies for advocating for change.

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Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants advise organizations on environmental and social responsibility. This course may provide insights into the connections between food security and sustainability, informing corporate strategies.

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Environmental Educator

Environmental Educators develop and implement educational programs on environmental issues. This course may complement knowledge of environmental sustainability with insights into food security, enabling educators to address these interconnected topics.

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Social Worker

Social Workers provide support and resources to individuals and families facing social and economic challenges. This course may provide additional understanding of food insecurity as a social issue, informing interventions to improve well-being.

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