ACTIVITY

The Hidden Journey of Food Waste

The students explore the problem of food waste by tracing the journey of food from farm to table and identifying where and why waste happens.

The intention is to help students frame the problem of food waste by recognizing its complexity, identifying stakeholders, and considering possible solutions.

1

Engage (5 min): We show a short How can how we solve the planet’s food waste problem? or infographic on food waste and asks: ‘Where do you think food gets wasted most?’

2

Investigate (15 min): In groups, students receive Scenario cards – The hidden food journey of Food Waste (farm, transport, shop, home, school cafeteria). With Role-Play Hypothesis they identify what problems cause waste at each stage.

3

Problem framing (10 min): Groups map (Mapping) the problems on a poster (cause → effect). Each group chooses the biggest problem they want to highlight.

4

Create (10 min): Groups design a visual poster showing the chosen problem and possible small solutions.

5

Act (5 min): Each group briefly presents their poster. Posters can be displayed in the cafeteria to raise awareness.

Didactic tips:

  • Differentiation: younger students can draw simple images; older ones can include statistics or percentages
  •  Variation: instead of posters, groups can prepare short role-plays of their scenario.
  • Progression: follow up with a project where students track food waste in their school for a week.
  • Before: collect examples of real school food waste (e.g., leftovers from lunch).
  • After: use posters for a whole-school awareness campaign.
GreenComp: food waste, problem solving, awareness
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EngageInvestigateCreateAct
THEME:
Food & beverage
TIME: 45 minutes
AGE: 10-12 years, 13-15 years

SUBJECTS:

  • Social studies
  • Mathematics
  • Mother tongue
  • Home economics

TOOLS / MATERIALS:

  • Printed scenario cards (different stages of the food chain: farm, transport, shop, home, school cafeteria)
  • Poster paper
  • Markers
  • Optional: projector/smartboard for examples of food waste statistics
  • Sticky notes for brainstorming problems/solutions

METHODS:

RESOURCES: