Students examine ways to address the issue of food insecurity related to their interests and understanding. They brainstorm service projects and use a decision-making model to choose a project. They implement their service project and reflect on their action.

The learner will:

• interpret data related to undernourishment and well-being.
• plan a service project to address the issue of food insecurity
• reflect on their service-learning process.
• demonstrate the impact of their action.

• scarcity: the lack of a resource, such as money, food, education, or housing
• advocate: to speak in defense or support of a particular person or issue
• food insecurity: the risk or fear of not having consistent access to food that meets people's dietary needs and food preferences
• resources : available supply or support that can be drawn on when needed or wanted
• undernourished: not having enough food to maintain health and growth

Anticipatory Set:

Give each student a copy of Attachment Two: Undernourishment and Life Expectancy around the Globe. Have them look over the chart with a partner. Give them the following guiding questions as they preview the document: Which countries on this chart have the greatest food insecurity? How does food insecurity relate to life expectancy is there a correlation? How are health and well-being related to life expectancy? Ask students to share some significant observations with the whole group.

• Ask students to brainstorm issues and concerns related to food insecurity that exist in their community and the world (may include obesity, homelessness, famine, fast food, school lunch choices, and global hunger).  
• Then, through discussion and consensus, determine what concern or issue they would most like to address - either through an advocacy/information campaign, a fundraiser, or by donating their time.
• Use Attachment One: Decision-Making Model to facilitate the discussion.
• The following ideas may be shared with the young people if needed to spark their decision to take action:
  • Advocate for hungry people in the community and globally.
  • Find a charity to support and find out what their needs are. Feeding America is a good resource that works internationally but has local branches. http://feedingamerica.org/
  • Teach others about food groups and good food choices.
  • Raise money to support a student-chosen charitable organization that addresses food insecurity locally or globally.
  • Educate others about habits to combat obesity.
  • Promote locally produced food.
  • Promote legislation to support local farmers.
  • Hold an international food fair with samples of foods from different global regions.
• After determining a service project, students make a plan and carry out the project.
• Be sure to include reflection before, during, and after the service.

Writing: Write a personal opinion essay on the following topic: “In what ways are we connected to people around the world through the food that we eat?”

Social Studies/Research/Writing: Tell students to imagine they have $1000 to give to one organization to address the issue of food insecurity in the world. Tell them to research nonprofit organizations that focus on issues of global health and hunger. See Save the Children, Oxfam, Heifer International, and Feeding America. They should select the organization they like best and tell why they want to support that organization with their donation.