Food Security Project Food Security Project Kitsilano SchoolKitsilano School

Group 10Group 10

IntroductionIntroduction

Weak anthropocentric viewWeak anthropocentric view Priority is on human needs while maintaining care Priority is on human needs while maintaining care

for the surrounding environmentfor the surrounding environment

Systems approachSystems approach Looking at the community components and Looking at the community components and

interactions as a wholeinteractions as a whole

People are being distanced from food systemPeople are being distanced from food system Lack of education about food and nutrition in Lack of education about food and nutrition in

most school curriculums most school curriculums

Description of Kitsilano Secondary Catchment Area

Kitsilano High SchoolKitsilano High School

Located at 2550 West 10th AvenueLocated at 2550 West 10th Avenue Consists of the Kitsilano, Fairview Consists of the Kitsilano, Fairview

and West Point Grey communitiesand West Point Grey communities 5 elementary feeder schools5 elementary feeder schools Wide variety of programsWide variety of programs Approximately1,630 students Approximately1,630 students

Kitsilano CharacteristicsKitsilano Characteristics

Largest community Largest community 551 hectares 551 hectares 39,620 residents39,620 residents

((50% are around 20-39 years old)50% are around 20-39 years old) Average household income is Average household income is

$66,093 $66,093 19% of the population is low income19% of the population is low income

FairviewFairview Characteristics Characteristics

Adjacent to the Adjacent to the Kitsilano communityKitsilano community

333 hectares333 hectares 28,405 residents28,405 residents

((48% are around 20-39 years old)48% are around 20-39 years old) Average household income of Average household income of

$60,244$60,244

West Point GreyWest Point Grey Characteristics Characteristics

Small portion falls Small portion falls into Kitsilano Secondary School’s into Kitsilano Secondary School’s catchment areacatchment area

455 hectares455 hectares 12,680 residents12,680 residents Average household income of Average household income of

$105,383$105,383

Results From Kitsilano Focus Groups

Method

Viewing PowerPoint presentation

Complete the questionnaires supplied

Six grade 10 students Discussion in focus

group

Research Result

Findings:

KSS students' primary concerns about their food

Taste Nutritional value Organic Appearance

KSS students’ ideas of “good” food

• Incorporation of spices and vegetables in the food

• Taste

• Nutritional quality

• Organic

KSS student thoughtsKSS student thoughts

► Most students brought lunches from Most students brought lunches from home especially since they thought home especially since they thought the cafeteria was smelly and the food the cafeteria was smelly and the food was greasywas greasy

► Students believed the vending Students believed the vending machines had a lack of varietymachines had a lack of variety

► Community gardens were of great Community gardens were of great interest to the studentsinterest to the students

► Many students showed interest in Many students showed interest in learning more about the Land and learning more about the Land and Food Systems facultyFood Systems faculty

Result And Discussion

Food security problems at KSS

Limited accessibility to healthy food

Connections between our food, the environment and the students

Lack of education about food and nutrition in the school curriculum

“Junk Food” vending machines Commercialization is prevalent

in the vicinity of the school and its community

Program of High school activities

“30-Hour Sustainable Living Quest” Introduction of guest speakers Intermission of nutritional snacks Interactive games that relate to our activity goals Screening of movies that are also related to our goals Overnight school sleep-over Nutritional meal at the end of the 30 hour period

Past AGSC 250 Past AGSC 250 Research and Research and

FindingsFindings

Past AGSC 250 Past AGSC 250 Research and Research and

FindingsFindings

Past AGSC 250 Research

• 2000-2003: Investigated the security and sustainability of food systems in 23 communities within the Vancouver region

• 2004: Studied how these issues affected high school kids at KSS and Sir Winston Churchill using community action based research

Results of Past AGSC 250 Findings

• The majority of students brought food from home (~ 38%)

• Substantial number also bought lunch at a store near the school (~ 33%)

• The most important characteristics were taste, nutrition, and appearance

• They showed little interest about learning where their food comes from and how healthy it is

Where does your lunch comes from?

38%33%

20% 9%

Home

CafeteriaVending Machine

Store Near School

1 2 3 4 5 6

3 Taste; 4 Nutrition;2 Appearance;

1 Price; 5 Organic; 6-Local;

What is important to you in choosing food?

Literature ReviewLiterature Review

Literature Review

“Turning the Tables” Recommendations on existing food security

problems in high schools in England - training their cooking staff to provide healthy meals and design healthy menus

Reviews the challenges of practical implementation - financial pressures of schools and the parents of low income families

Recognizes the economical and environmental sustainable effects of food security - supports local economy by encouraging schools purchase food from local suppliers and farmers

Literature Review

“Jamie Oliver” Goal: Try to replace junk food with nutritious

food Result: Successful in implementing nutritious

lunch meals in British elementary schools He went to different communities and schools,

to realize the lack of knowledge of food Many people gain a greater awareness of the

importance of healthy food for children Slowly he helped the students become more

aware of their connections with food

Literature Review

Worldwide food programs taking place: US:

Skidmore College in N.Y. establish a dining hall revolution to bring local and organic food to the college’s own dining hall

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program provide lessons to ESL students and their parents on food choices

France: French government is involve to improve student’s nutrition by

establishing school meal menus so parents know in advance of their children’s meal

Suggested-Dinner weekday menus are establish to enable parents to make nutritious meal at home

French schools have field trips to farms

Recommendations

For our AGSC 250 2006 colleague

1. Take a tour of the high school during regular lunch time hours

2. Debrief with the other facilitators, or conduct more than one focus group

3. Improve preliminary power point presentation to be more captivating and interactive

4. Send an additional newsletter/booklet of relevant information home with the students

For KSS principal and other faculty members

1. Organize field trip to the farm

2. Date with a Dietitian, get students to go to a local supermarket

3. Have students prepare a Food Journal for a typical day

4. Show the Jamie Oliver episodes

5. Help and encourage interested students to organize food security related clubs

For Vancouver School Board

1. Implement food security and sustainability programs in elementary schools

2. Make alterations of our current curriculum3. The VSB can collaborate with the PAC to

hold more meetings on food security issues in schools

4. Join with the Vancouver City Council to promote awareness within the community

Thank you Thank you

Group 10 members: Berkyto, Meghan Group 10 members: Berkyto, Meghan LeahLeah

Chow, Amanda Hoi SanChow, Amanda Hoi San

Hartell ,Tamara ValeriaHartell ,Tamara Valeria

Lam, Iris Po-KingLam, Iris Po-King

Niknamian ,DaryaNiknamian ,Darya

Siu ,Chi Bon GabrielSiu ,Chi Bon Gabriel

Wang, Jin Wang, Jin