Project Clearinghouse

Food Justice Online Orientation Program

Sustainability Problem and Proposed Solution: 

UCSC is renowned for its decades­long efforts in the area of agroecology and sustainable food systems, yet issues of food justice have arguably lagged behind. It is important to create an opportunity for students to link the work that is happening on our campus to food justice efforts in our larger local community. This online orientation program also addresses the serious issue of student hunger, a food justice issue specific to our university setting.

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Project Categories: 
Food
Awareness, Education & Engagement
Social Justice
Project Status: 
In Progress
Campus Organization: 
Sustainability Office
Affiliated Department, Unit or College: 
Ethnic Resource Centers
Project Location: 
On campus

Ethnic Resource Centers Office, located in Bay Tree Building


Stakeholder Contacts: 
Contact NameEmail AddressContact NumberDepartment
Adriana Renteria
arenter1@ucsc.edu
831-459-2427
Ethnic Resource Centers
Funding Sources: 
Campus Sustainability Plan

Project Description: 

The People of Color Sustainability Collective (PoCSC) aims to create a comprehensive agro­ecology and food justice online orientation program for incoming frosh and transfer students, and for all staff that work directly with students. The proposed online orientation program will link society, economics, and the environment with an interactive, module­based interface. The online orientation program will utilize a quiz­based format where students will go through various situation­based examples and will have the opportunity to reflect on their current knowledge of food systems and food justice. The online program will then provide them with feedback on the response they chose and will provide external links to practical tools and campus resources. Unlike other online orientation programs, this program is intended to be a tool for students or staff who are looking for food access resources or for opportunities to further engage with food systems. The proposed online orientation program would address these main goals: 1) To provide all incoming students with a foundation of how culture, race, class, and gender play a role in influencing the industrialized food system; 2) To educate students about the commitments and accomplishments that UCSC has made towards creating a more just and sustainable food system on campus; and 3) To highlight resources for food access both on and off campus and provide opportunities for students to deepen engagement with food systems.

فكرة
صور
تفسير
تردد
منوعات
رواية
اسماء
مسلسل
صور رمضان
امساكية رمضان

Metrics for Success: 

The number of students that take the online orientation program will measure the success of our outreach and education efforts. The number of campus units that require or encourage their staff to take the online orientation program will measure the degree to which this online resource is being incorporated in efforts to address student need. Another measure is the traffic on social media and other publicity that this effort receives—we would love to also see our online orientation adopted as a model for other campuses and organizations too.

Result Categories: 
Behavior Change
Education/Outreach
Results: 

In terms of tangible results, the online orientation program will increase the visibility and use of existing food access programs. The Global Food Initiative, a UC­wide effort that addresses issues of food security, health, and sustainability, would be integrated into the orientation program. According to UC system­wide research, between 20% and 40% of students skip meals to save money. This program has the ability to address food insecurity before students experience it on campus. Making knowledge of food access programs such as CalFresh and CARE services mandatory could de­stigmatize these resources and could help alleviate student hunger. In terms of intangible impacts, we posit that highlighting available resources could potentially affect retention rates of students who are experiencing food insecurity, because they would have a vital necessity addressed and also feel more supported by the campus. Additionally, providing diverse examples of how food system injustices are being addressed on campus can empower students to become change agents for food justice in their own lives and in their own communities.