Food Uprising is an organization designed to empower our youth to become socially responsible and thriving adults through education on factors that influence their food habits and lifestyles. Empowering our youth with the truth on food quality and their environment will give them a fighting chance to thrive in a increasingly complex and toxically compromised world; and not just simply survive. You say, "Wow what a task! How can this be accomplished?" The curriculums in our educational systems are dated and very thirsty for innovative and progressive programs that stimulate a developing brain. I have a dream that with incremental steps, Food Uprising can make an impactful lasting change by integrating a pilot program into our schools that would be fun, forward thinking,and trend-worthy! I've created a library of ideas that would be interactive and web-based for students to take part in . This would be the epicenter for the program where they could gather ideas for school project papers, volunteer opportunities, fundraising, etc. This would also be the place for youth to learn more about better food habits, media literacy, food label reading, planning and prepping healthier alternatives to high fat, high sugar and processed carb meals. To elaborate on how the program would look in a school setting, Food Uprising's objective is to not create a new class independent from the standard curriculum.It would integrate into already existing basics such as Biology, English, etc.

Problem

This project has global appeal and we are in dire need for a group consciousness to help with the movement. The health crisis in the US is evident by the fact that a poor diet is the leading cause of preventable death. 1 out of 3 kids in the US is overweight. Many are prematurely developing health problems due to a junk and fast-food diet. Adolescents are targeted by the media and food companies and they need to be armed with knowledge of how this is done and also the cause and effect of developing poor food habits. Americans are at the mercy of convenient, processed, chemical laden food and we have to stop the madness!

Solution

IT'S TIME TO WAKE UP! We have got to implement a program based on food education and nutrition in our school system in order for us sustain and evolve our future America. Solution: a user-friendly, web-based interactive curriculum that connects students, parents, and teachers while engaging them in a fun and effective learning program centered around food security, agriculture, gardening and farming, food shopping and prepping as well as many other healthy eating initiatives and programs. The program will be endorsed by school districts and then implemented into the school curriculum. A series of pilots would be launched initially.

Exemple

Modeling a middle class suburban family: Ashton, age 14, is about to enter 9th grade. His parents work full time, so he and his older sister, Amber(16) often self-direct their own food choices. Amber is very active and loves to play sports, so nutrition is very important to keep up with her demanding schedule. Ashton indulges his time with his friends playing video games and snacking. He is overweight as are some of his buddies. Their parents have very little time to shop, plan and prepare meals so the freezer is stocked with frozen snacks and meals. THIS is how Food Uprising can make a viable and sustainable impact in these kids lives: 1)There are programs that have been implemented in the school for grading AND homework to be completed with fellow peers. These assignments task the students with 100s of topics. To name a few- media literacy, smart food (ace that test!), games that challenge and engage learning, snacking healthier and it still tastes great!, food fight initiatives and so much more. Kids are then brought together to interact with their experience of how food education has helped them evolve- perhaps through live performances, rallies, cross pollinating through reading each others reports, projects and then writing reviews on each others work. At that point the teachers and parents are brought together with students in a classroom setting to discuss how to make a food conscious kitchen. Parents will be encouraged to take accountability for modeling food habits. This is just one angle Food Uprising could help resolve an epidemic. I haven't even touched on engaging local farmers and how we could strengthen that community while educating students on how to grow their own food!

Marché

Peers: Backyard farmers, nutritionists, foodie activists, health educators, dieticians, naturopaths, anyone involved in the food revolution! Competitors: The School System's old thinking