Title: Analyze economic, environmental, and social determinants that influence food choices and other nutritional practices.
Course: Nutrition and Wellness (19253-18) > Section: Investigating Principles of Nutrition

Analysis should include

- identification of economic factors, such as globalization of food (importing and exporting of food products), industrialization, use of technology, government subsidies for food production, price controls, food supply, and food distribution
- the influence of economic factors on consumers' food choices and other nutritional practices
- identification of environmental factors such as climate, weather (e.g., hurricanes, wildfires) soil, and air quality
- identification of practices to reduce food waste, practices to conserve energy and other resources, and practices to protect the environment (i.e., how environmental factors influence consumers' food choices and other nutritional practices)
- social influences (e.g., peer pressure, cultural, and/or religious background)
- access to food availability (e.g., grocery stores, farms)
- benefits of local farms.

Process/Skill Questions:

Thinking

- What would it be like if people ate food only for its nutritional value?
- Which of the economic, environmental, and social factors are within your control?

Communication

- What effect do cultural traditions, religious beliefs, family traditions, and peer pressures have on your food choices?
- How much do economic factors influence your food choices and other nutritional practices? Are you less likely to choose foods based on cost rather than on nutritional value? Why, or why not?

Leadership

- What economic and environmental factors should be considered when making healthy food choices?

Management

- What management skills can help identify and analyze what influences our food choices?
- How can consumers influence food providers to offer healthy food choices?
- Which influences are most likely to lead to unhealthy food choices? To healthy food choices?

Teacher Resources:

- Economic Research Service (ERS), USDA
- Federation of Virginia Food Banks
- Food Insecurity and Food Deserts, Federation of Virginia Food Banks
- Nourishing Neighbors – Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning:  Explore.Act.Tell®
- The Biggest Little Farm
- SNAP-Ed Connection: Nutrition Education, USDA
- U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action
- Virginia No Kid Hungry