Food Security Project Kitsilano School Group 10

Introduction  Weak anthropocentric view  Priority is on human needs while maintaining care for the surrounding environment  Systems approach  Looking at the community components and interactions as a whole  People are being distanced from food system  Lack of education about food and nutrition in most school curriculums

Description of Kitsilano Secondary Catchment Area

Kitsilano High School Located at 2550 West 10th Avenue Located at 2550 West 10th Avenue Consists of the Kitsilano, Fairview and West Point Grey communities Consists of the Kitsilano, Fairview and West Point Grey communities 5 elementary feeder schools 5 elementary feeder schools Wide variety of programs Wide variety of programs Approximately1,630 students Approximately1,630 students

Kitsilano Characteristics Largest community Largest community 551 hectares 551 hectares 39,620 residents (50% are around years old) 39,620 residents (50% are around years old) Average household income is $66,093 Average household income is $66,093 19% of the population is low income 19% of the population is low income

Fairview Characteristics Adjacent to the Kitsilano community Adjacent to the Kitsilano community 333 hectares 333 hectares 28,405 residents (48% are around years old) 28,405 residents (48% are around years old) Average household income of $60,244 Average household income of $60,244

West Point Grey Characteristics Small portion falls into Kitsilano Secondary School’s catchment area Small portion falls into Kitsilano Secondary School’s catchment area 455 hectares 455 hectares 12,680 residents 12,680 residents Average household income of $105,383 Average household income of $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 thoughts ► Most students brought lunches from home especially since they thought the cafeteria was smelly and the food was greasy ► Students believed the vending machines had a lack of variety ► Community gardens were of great interest to the students ► Many students showed interest in learning more about the Land and Food 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 Research and Findings

Past AGSC 250 Research : 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

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 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 curriculum 3. 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 Group 10 members: Berkyto, Meghan Leah Chow, Amanda Hoi San Chow, Amanda Hoi San Hartell,Tamara Valeria Hartell,Tamara Valeria Lam, Iris Po-King Lam, Iris Po-King Niknamian,Darya Niknamian,Darya Siu,Chi Bon Gabriel Siu,Chi Bon Gabriel Wang, Jin Wang, Jin