The Educator Magazine U.K. May-August issue - Magazine - Page 42
Nurturing Tomorrow9s
Food Choices
The Importance of Alternative Protein Education
In classrooms across the globe, we prepare
students for a future that will look different from
today. Yet, one critical aspect of that future often
receives less attention: the changing landscape of
food production and consumption.
As educators, we have both the opportunity and
responsibility to introduce young people to the
innovative food technologies that will likely be
commonplace in their adult lives and how their food
choices today (and tomorrow) impact the world at
large.
The Protein Revolution
The alternative protein sector has become popular
in recent years, and is expected to rise. According
to recent pro ections by consulting 昀rm earney,
alternative proteins could represent up to 50% of
the global meat market by 2040, and the Boston
Consulting Group predicts that the alternative protein
market could reach $290 billion by 2035. ¹ ²
Alternative proteins aren9t merely a passing fad,
but an opportunity to embrace new products
that work to address critical challenges of food
security, environmental sustainability, and ethical
production. Today9s students will be the consumers
and professionals navigating the transformed food
landscape that lies ahead of us.
Bringing the Future into
the Classroom
At the Educated Choices Program, we9ve developed
comprehensive educational resources to help
teachers introduce these concepts in age-appropriate,
engaging ways. We offer a variety of education
packages focused on food technology, ranging from
concise 10-minute videos to more in-depth multi-day
units, taking students through the process of creating
traditional plant proteins like tofu and seitan to cuttingedge innovations in cultivated meat grown from cells
without the need to raise animals for consumption.
Because food technology is only one piece of the
puzzle regarding the vast impacts of our food choices,
we proudly offer educational packages on various
complementary topics. While our Healthful Eating
presentation remains our most requested program
worldwide, we9ve developed materials dedicated
to the public health implications of food systems,
environmental sustainability concerns, 昀rst-hand
accounts of the bene昀ts of community gardens, and
much more. This holistic approach ensures students
understand not just how food technology is evolving,
but why these innovations matter in addressing
broader challenges that can be incorporated into
nearly any class.
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