Food Waste Lesson Presentation

The educational presentation for Primary 5-7 students focuses on the pressing issue of food waste. The session begins with an interactive pair activity where students are encouraged to consider common foods that are frequently discarded and select the top five they believe are most often thrown away. This activity raises awareness about the magnitude of food waste and prompts students to think critically about their food consumption habits. The lesson then delves into the journey of food post-disposal, challenging students to think about the environmental implications of food waste and the role of supermarkets in this cycle.

Throughout the week, the learning journey is structured around key topics such as understanding 'use by' and 'best before' dates, and the significance of Food Waste Action Week, with its theme "Win. Don’t Bin." Students discuss the reasons behind food wastage and learn startling facts, like the UK discarding 3 million slices of cheese daily. The presentation also includes a 'Supermarket sweep' section where students assess the efforts of various supermarkets, such as Asda, Aldi, Sainsbury's, Co-op, Waitrose, and Iceland, in removing 'best before' dates from produce to reduce waste. Students then reflect on the effectiveness of these initiatives and consider additional measures that could further decrease food waste. Finally, the presentation culminates with a vote where students express their opinion on whether supermarkets are doing enough to help reduce food waste, emphasising the importance of collective responsibility and action.