Discovering the Food System Step 1: Finding Food System Facts

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Printer-friendly .pdf version of this page Summary In the previous section, we had an opportunity to consider some of the important issues about the food system. As we develop our food system project, we will be able to interview members of the food production system and survey a community of consumers. However, before we begin investigating our local community food system, we need to become aware of some of the basic facts about our personal food system. This lesson will help develop skills for gathering some important food system data by using community resources at hand. The information we acquire will show how the food system has changed in recent years. For each fact we find in our hunt, we will need to cite the sources of our information. Upon completing this lesson, we will be better armed with the facts to go on with our own exploration of our local food system. We will also have used that information to choose our Discovering the Food System project topic. Learning Objectives Upon completion of this lesson, we should be able to: Use a variety of resources to gather information about our community and local food system. Interpret graphs and describe changes in the food system Begin to consider why these changes have been occurring Key Concepts Population Commodities Community Cooperative Extension Resources Activities See Printer-friendly .pdf version of this lesson for complete actvities, background information, handouts, etc. Preparing for the search Developing your search Searching for specific food system data Food for Thought Journal Websites used in this lesson: USDA-ERS: State Fact Sheets (US data) USDA-NASS: Agricultural Charts & Maps (US data) Oregon State University: GovStats (State data) USDA-ERS: State Fact Sheet (State data) Oregon State University: GovStats (County data)