An Introduction to the U.S. Food System: Perspectives from Public Health from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Is Climate Change Vindicating Malthus? Food Security and the Right to Food

Welcome to our short course on the U.S. food system. In this first series of lectures, we dig into the very important concepts of food systems, food security and intergenerational equity and begin to explore what we eat, how that food is produced, and how our dietary choices impact our health and the health of the planet. This broad overview lecture lays the foundation for the rest of the course.

Food System Sustainability and Resilience

This lesson expands on the concepts of food system sustainability and resilience, and describes strategies that could dramatically improve the food system and the ability of future generations to feed themselves.

Ecological Perspectives on Food Production

The 1938 USDA Yearbook of Agriculture stated, “Essentially, all life depends upon the soil ... There can be no life without soil and no soil without life; they have evolved together”. In this module, we will take a very brief look at the importance of methods of food production for sustainability, resilience, food security and health.

Food Animal Production and Public Health

We will now examine the livestock and seafood industries, which we have touched on in previous modules as a key driver of the global food system. As incomes rise around the world, so too does the global collective appetite for meat. Some of our greatest challenges and debates of the 21st century are rooted in the rising demand for animal protein in an era of dwindling resources and climate change. NOTE: This lecture refers to other lectures offered in this or related full for-credit courses at the Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Food and Farm Policy Perspectives

In the next set of lectures, we begin to explore food and farm policy, a huge and complex topic. Roni Neff returns with an overview of the history and content of the current farm bill and why it really should be called a ‘food bill’, considering the magnitude of its impact on public health. Then Mark Winne will share his experiences as an advocate for community food security and regional food systems here in the U.S. For those of you interested in the international perspective of food policy, we have provided in the readings list a link to a terrific talk by Olivier deSchutter, the former UN special rapporteur on the Right to Food.

Improving Food Systems: Stories from the Field

In this final module of the course you will hear from real people working to build a healthier, more sustainable food system. First, Michael Heller of Clagett Farm in Maryland will share his farming philosophy and how he links his farm to the local community near Washington DC. Then you’ll hear about Meatless Monday as an example of using health communication campaigns to change the food system from the demand-side. The optional Honors lesson includes two short films produced by CLF showcasing projects and people around the U.S. that are improving the food system from field to plate.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines role of dietary choices on health and the planet

Taught by experts in public health, policy, and agriculture

Develops understanding of food sustainability and resilience

Focuses on the U.S. food system

Discusses food animal production and public health

Explores food and farm policy and community food security

Reviews summary

Highly rated food system course

Learners say this engaging and informative course contains essential information about how the U.S. food system has developed over time and how it can be improved by everyone, from consumers to farmers to policymakers. Students recommend it to beginners in public health, horticulture, agriculture, farming, and related fields.

Well designed and easy to follow.

"One of the better courses from Coursera. Well designed, well thought out, well presented."

"good"

"amazing program, very informative!"

Helpful for those in the food industry or related fields.

"This course I took has enlightened me so much as someone who has a bachelor's degree in Nutrition and Food Science from the University of Ghana and has plans for a career in the food industry."

"Loved it! I recommend it to anyone new to public health, horticulture, agriculture, farming, agroecology and the like. I wish I took this course sooner."

Emphasizes the impact of the food system on our health, environment, and society.

"and this information would help me apply the concepts to my field, as well as raising awareness to positive and negative impacts of food to nutrition, public health, agriculture, aquaculture, economics, society, and the environment."

Clearly explains the U.S. food system.

"provides essential information to anyone who is interested in understanding how our national food system developed over time."

"This course contains a wealth of important information about how the US food system works, and how it can be improved."

"This course is an excellent series of lectures that provide essential information to anyone who is interested in understanding how our national food system developed over time."

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 An Introduction to the U.S. Food System: Perspectives from Public Health with these activities:

Compile a list of resources on food systems

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Creates a valuable reference for future learning and exploration.

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Search for resources on food systems.
Organize the resources by topic.
Share the list with others.

Read "The Food System: A Reader" by Marion Nestle

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Provides a comprehensive overview of the U.S. food system, its history, and its impact on public health and the environment.

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Read the introduction and first three chapters.
Identify the key concepts and themes.
Summarize the key points in each chapter.

Join a study group

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Provides opportunities for discussion, collaboration, and support with fellow learners.

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Find a study group or organize your own.
Establish a regular meeting schedule.
Prepare for meetings by reviewing the course materials.

Five other activities

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Practice identifying different types of food systems

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Strengthens understanding of the diversity and complexity of food systems.

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Review the different types of food systems.
Find examples of each type of food system.
Compare and contrast the different types of food systems.

Create a food system map

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Helps visualize the interconnectedness of the food system and identify key leverage points for change.

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Identify the key components of the food system.
Research the relationships between these components.
Create a visual representation of the food system.

Follow a tutorial on food system modeling

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Provides hands-on experience with using tools and techniques for food system analysis.

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Find a tutorial on food system modeling.
Follow the steps in the tutorial.
Apply the model to a case study.

Develop a food system intervention proposal

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Encourages critical thinking and the application of knowledge to real-world problems.

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Identify a food system issue or challenge.
Research potential interventions.
Develop a proposal outlining the intervention, its implementation, and evaluation plan.

Participate in a food system design competition

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Provides a challenging and engaging way to test and apply knowledge, while fostering innovation.

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Find a food system design competition.
Develop a team and design a food system.
Submit your design to the competition.

Career center

Learners who complete An Introduction to the U.S. Food System: Perspectives from Public Health will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Environmental Health Scientist

Environmental Health Scientists study the impact of environmental factors on human health. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the US food system and the ways in which food production practices and our food choices impact our health and the health of the planet, making it ideal preparation for the subset of Environmental Health Scientists specializing in food systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Health Scientist

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers develop and implement sustainability programs for businesses, non-profit organizations, and governments. This course would be useful in developing an understanding of how food systems impact sustainability, as well as providing tools for measuring and mitigating the environmental impact of food production and consumption.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Food Policy Analyst

Food Policy Analysts research, develop, and implement policies and programs related to food and nutrition. This course would be a valuable resource for Food Policy Analysts, as it provides insights into the US food system, the factors that influence food policy, and the potential impact of food policies on public health and the environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Food Policy Analyst

Food Systems Analyst

Food Systems Analysts work to improve the efficiency and sustainability of food systems. This course would be helpful in developing an understanding of the complex factors that influence food systems, and the ways in which food systems can be improved to promote public health and environmental sustainability.

See salaries and explore the career path for Food Systems Analyst

Public Health Nutritionist

Public Health Nutritionists work to improve the nutritional health of populations. This course would provide valuable insights into the role of food systems in public health, and the ways in which food policies and interventions can be used to improve nutritional outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Nutritionist

Environmental Health Epidemiologist

Environmental Health Epidemiologists investigate the relationship between environmental factors and human health. This course would be helpful in developing an understanding of the ways in which food production practices and our food choices impact human health, providing valuable context for research in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Health Epidemiologist

Food Safety Inspector

Food Safety Inspectors ensure that food is safe for consumption. This course would provide a comprehensive overview of the US food system, food production practices, and the potential hazards associated with food production and consumption, making it ideal preparation for a career as a Food Safety Inspector.

See salaries and explore the career path for Food Safety Inspector

Agricultural Economist

Agricultural Economists study the economic aspects of food production and distribution. This course would be helpful in developing an understanding of the economic forces that shape the US food system, and the potential impact of food policies on agricultural producers and consumers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Agricultural Economist

Food Scientist

Food Scientists develop new food products and processes. This course would provide a valuable overview of the US food system, food production practices, and the factors that influence food quality and safety, making it a useful resource for Food Scientists.

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Registered Dietitian

Registered Dietitians provide nutrition counseling and education to individuals and groups. This course would provide a comprehensive overview of the US food system, the relationship between food and health, and the ways in which food choices can be used to improve health outcomes, making it a valuable resource for Registered Dietitians.

See salaries and explore the career path for Registered Dietitian

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate the causes of disease and other health problems. This course would be helpful in developing an understanding of the ways in which food production practices and our food choices impact human health, providing valuable context for research in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Nutritionist

Nutritionists provide nutrition counseling and education to individuals and groups. This course would provide valuable insights into the relationship between food and health, the factors that influence food choices, and the ways in which food policies and interventions can be used to improve nutritional outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nutritionist

Health Educator

Health Educators develop and implement health education programs. This course would be helpful in developing an understanding of the relationship between food and health, the factors that influence food choices, and the ways in which food policies and interventions can be used to improve public health.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research, develop, and implement policies and programs. This course would be helpful in developing an understanding of the policy-making process, the factors that influence food policy, and the potential impact of food policies on public health and the environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants help businesses and organizations develop and implement sustainability programs. This course would provide valuable insights into the role of food systems in sustainability, as well as providing tools for measuring and mitigating the environmental impact of food production and consumption.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant