Student Name
Institution
Date
2
Promoting positive change
The essence of the food system cannot be downplayed as it covers everything from food
production to food consumption. An imperative thing that can be done to promote positive
change in the food system is to become more aware of where food comes from. This means
learning about the different steps involved in food production, from farming to packaging. It also
means being mindful of the environmental impact of food production. Often, society members in
developed worlds are far removed from the realities of food production, so this lack of awareness
can lead to unsustainable and detrimental eating habits. If more people were aware of the issues
surrounding food production and consumption, we could make more informed choices that
would positively impact the food system (Schader et al., 2015).
A second approach to advancing a sound food system is supporting smaller-scale local
food producers. This can be done in a few different ways. First, it can mean buying food directly
from farmers at farmers' markets or through community-supported agriculture (CSA) shares.
Second, it can support restaurants and food businesses using local, seasonal ingredients. And
third, it can mean voting with your dollar by purchasing products from companies with
sustainable and ethical food sourcing policies. When we buy from small-scale, local producers,
we support their businesses and keep our money within our local economy (Béné et al., 2020).
This is important because it helps to create jobs and boosts the local economy. Finally, to
positively impact the food system, we should seek to reduce food waste. It is estimated that
approximately one-third of the food produced in the world is wasted each year (Capone et al.,
2014). That is a lot of food! There are several things we can do to reduce food waste. For
instance, we can be more mindful of the amount of food we buy and only purchase what we will
3
eat. By reducing food waste, we are not only helping to save money, but we are also helping to
reduce the environmental impact of food production.
As depicted herein, the food system's complexity makes it hard for any one person to
have a significant impact. However, by working together and making small changes in our own
lives, we can collectively create a more sustainable and just food system. From its production to
its distribution to our final consumption, there are a number of ways to make a positive impact
on the food system. Each step brings the world closer to bowing out the undesirable practices
and promoting the good.
Reflection on key takeaways
I enjoyed this course and appreciated the intriguing concepts about what we eat and why
it matters. I found it essential to learn about how the food system works and how we as
consumers are connected to it. I also found the discussion of alternative food practices eye-
opening, inspiring me to think more about how I can make positive changes in my own life.
One of the most significant things I took away from this course was a greater
understanding of the complex relationships between different actors in the food system. I found
it particularly interesting to learn about how small-scale farmers are often disadvantaged within
the food system and how this affects food security and sovereignty. This made me realize the
importance of supporting local farmers and buying from them whenever possible. While this
may be a challenge in urban areas, it is something that I am committed to doing more of in the
future.
Consequently, another imperative thing I learned was the concept of food security. Food
security is an important issue that needs to be addressed on a global scale, and I was surprised to
4
learn that so many people do not have access to enough nutritious food. This course has given
me a better understanding of the problem and how it can be addressed. I am now more aware of
the role that I can play in supporting food security initiatives, and I am committed to doing what
I can to make a difference.
5
References
Béné, C., Fanzo, J., Prager, S. D., Achicanoy, H. A., Mapes, B. R., Alvarez Toro, P., & Bonilla
Cedrez, C. (2020). Global drivers of food system (un) sustainability: A multi-country
correlation analysis. PloS one, 15(4), e0231071.
Capone, R., Bilali, H. E., Debs, P., Cardone, G., & Driouech, N. (2014). Food system
sustainability and food security: connecting the dots. Journal of Food Security, 2(1), 13-
22.
Schader, C., Muller, A., Scialabba, N. E. H., Hecht, J., Isensee, A., Erb, K. H., ... & Niggli, U.
(2015). Impacts of feeding less food-competing feedstuffs to livestock on global food
system sustainability. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 12(113), 20150891.
