A New Food Literacy Development Framework for Children & Youth

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Author: Sustain Ontario

Posted: June 9, 2022

Categories: Edible Education Network / Good Food Ideas for Kids / GoodFoodBites / School Food News / Schools

Dr. Joyce Slater from the University of Manitoba has launched a new Food Literacy Progression for Children and Youth, providing an organizational framework for food literacy development from ages 2-18 years.

The Food Literacy Progression is a tool that can be used to develop food education programs that build knowledge, attitudes and skills progressively, in schools or community-based learning settings. It can also be used to emphasize the importance and range of food-related capabilities in human development.

The 12-page document categorizes food literacy skills through three competencies:

  • Functional Competencies (confidence and empowerment with food) – Nutrition; Food Skills; Being an Informed Consumer; Food Origins; Food Safety & Hygiene; Obtaining Food
  • Relational Competencies (joy and meaning through food) – Eating & Cooking with Others; Positive Relationships with Food; Food & Culture
  • Systems Competencies (equity and sustainability for food systems) – Social Justice; Food & Environmental Sustainability

Access the Food Literacy Progression on the FANLit website in the Seeds of Learning section. It can be accessed online (with hyperlinks to referenced documents) or downloaded as a printable booklet.

We’re so pleased to see the release of this Food Literacy Progression and to consider how we can implement it in schools in Ontario!