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Marrit van den Berg, Hilde Bras, Jeroen Candel, Jessica Duncan, Ewout Frankema, Peter Oosterveer, Maja Slingerland, and Sietze Vellema

Food access: Learn about food supply and food security

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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.

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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:

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
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Week 3: Traders arranging food access in local marketsIntroduction to distribution and trading food at the local level
Week 4: National policy makers governing food accessIntroduction to food policy and how political choices at the national level affect access to food
Week 5: Negotiators setting international trade rules for food accessIntroducing the role of international trade for food access and its economic, social and cultural implications
Week 6: connecting the ingredientsIntegration of levels and actors

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, 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

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Reviews summary

Well received materials

Learners say that the materials for Sustainable Food Security: Food Access are valuable for their future. Despite challenges, the course is well received by the sole individual who left a review.
The course materials are valuable.
"Is a good training which will help me in future"
The course includes some challenges.
"The only challenges I have is lack of money"

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
Review the different actors involved in food access, their roles, and how they impact food security.
Browse courses on Food Access
Show steps
  • 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Reading list

We've selected 24 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Sustainable Food Security: Food Access.
This annual report from the FAO provides up-to-date data and analysis on the state of food security and nutrition around the world. It is an essential resource for anyone interested in understanding the challenges and progress in achieving food security.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the concept of food access, including the different dimensions and indicators used to measure it. It also discusses the challenges and opportunities for improving food access around the world.
Explores the theoretical and practical aspects of food security. It discusses the different concepts of food security, and the different approaches to measuring food security.
Provides a comprehensive overview of food security and nutrition from a global perspective. It discusses the different dimensions of food security, and the challenges to achieving food security and nutrition for all.
Provides an overview of the measurement of food security and hunger. It discusses the different methods used to measure food security and hunger, and the strengths and weaknesses of each method.
Explores the concept of food security governance, and the role of different stakeholders in food security. It provides case studies from different countries to illustrate the different approaches to food security governance.
Provides an overview of the challenges to food security in developing countries. It discusses the different causes of food insecurity, and the different policies and programs that can be used to address food insecurity.
Discusses the relationship between food security and the right to food. It explores the different ways in which food security can be used to promote the right to food, and the different ways in which the right to food can be used to promote food security.
Provides a broad overview of food security, including the historical, economic, and social factors that have shaped it. It valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the complex challenges of food security.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the geography of food security. It covers a wide range of topics, from the spatial distribution of food production to the factors that affect access to food.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the role of trade in ensuring food security. It covers a wide range of topics, from the benefits of trade to the challenges and opportunities for improving the global food system.
Provides an overview of the role of international development in food security. It discusses the different approaches to international development, and the different ways in which international development can be used to address food insecurity.
Discusses the role of food policy in food security in developing countries. It provides an overview of the different types of food policies, and the impact of these policies on food security.
Provides a critical analysis of the political economy of food. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand the role of power and inequality in shaping food systems.
Explores the complex relationship between food systems and development, examining how food systems can contribute to poverty reduction, economic growth, and improved nutrition. It provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities in transforming food systems to achieve sustainable development goals.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the right to food. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand the legal and ethical dimensions of food security.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the concepts and measurement of food security. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand how food security is measured and how to interpret food security data.
Provides a geographic perspective on food systems, exploring the spatial distribution of food production, distribution, and consumption. It examines the physical, economic, and cultural factors that influence the geography of food, and the implications for food security and sustainability.
Provides practical guidance on creating a food safety culture in food businesses, emphasizing the importance of employee behavior and engagement in ensuring food safety. It offers a step-by-step approach to developing and implementing a behavior-based food safety management system.
Provides a comprehensive overview of food engineering principles and applications, covering topics such as food chemistry, microbiology, and process engineering. It offers a technical foundation for understanding the science and technology behind food production and preservation.
Provides a comprehensive overview of food microbiology, covering topics such as microbial growth, food spoilage, and foodborne pathogens. It offers a scientific understanding of the role of microorganisms in food safety and quality.
Provides a detailed examination of the chemical composition and properties of food, covering topics such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and vitamins. It offers a scientific understanding of the chemical processes involved in food production, preservation, and consumption.
Provides a practical guide to food analysis techniques, covering topics such as sample preparation, analytical methods, and data interpretation. It offers a technical foundation for understanding the scientific methods used to assess the composition and quality of food.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the history of food and food security. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand how food has shaped human history and how food security has been a central concern for societies throughout history.

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