Sustainable Food Systems and Security
Food systems and issues of food security have risen to the forefront of sustainability discourse, research and community-based action. This has occurred in response to grievous outcomes from the globalization and wholesale industrialization of the food system over the last century. Outcomes of the current system include the production of enough food for every person on earth while 1/6th of the population is undernourished and another 1/6th is overfed, unsustainable dependence on fossil fuels, profligate greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of environmental destruction, and the economic and social marginalization of agriculture, agriculturists and agriculture communities. Moreover, the system has not eliminated food insecurity in Canada or elsewhere. Additionally, it is recognized that climate change along with limited arable land, water, and energy will increasingly exert profound effects on agriculture, food systems, and food security. Food systems must change in the twenty-first century to respond to these challenges. Change will require an understanding of the social, environmental and economic dimensions of sustainable food systems appropriate to meet the challenges of the 21st century, and preparation of sustainable food system and food security advocates, leaders and builders, who work in a myriad of professional capacities within our economies and societies.
KPU, via the Institute for Sustainable Food Systems (an applied research and extension unit) and the Sustainable Agriculture BASc program, is now the recognized Canadian higher education research, extension and education leader in this important and nascent domain.
Who Studies Sustainable Food Systems?
The food system is a foundational and cross-cutting element of sustainable society, and as such food systems leaders and builders have backgrounds and training in diverse disciplines. There is (and it is needed) a breadth of expertise being brought to bear on the challenge of sustainable food systems and security. Many practicing and aspiring professionals that concern themselves with food system research, education and action need and want substantive, pertinent expertise. Much sustainable food system and food security work is led by individuals educated and working outside of agriculture per se. As such our graduate certificate intends to serve a wide range of professionals including those involved in planning, policy development, economic development, community activism, NGOs, education, community and household health, social work, food sector business etc.
Students from around the world are able to enroll in this program, as it is delivered online.
Graduates are generally expected to work in the following professions:
- Municipal/ Regional District Planner
- Policy Analyst
- Agriculture/ Food System Consultant
- Educator- K-12
- Academic/ researcher- post-secondary
- Entrepreneur
- NGO staff
- Government staff (e.g. Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Trade, Jobs and Economic
- Development)
- Extension agent
- Social/ Community Development professional
- Food System Professional
Graduates are generally expected to work in the following situations:
- domestic and international agencies as well as non-governmental organizations
- community development organizations
- public health agencies
- university-based research institutes and centres
Visit the BC Transfer Guide - bctransferguide.ca - for information about course transfer in B.C.
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