Mapping Food and Nutrition Education Resources and Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers in the Pacific Islands

• Published in: Journal of nutrition education and behavior 2023-07, Vol.55 (7), p.10-10
• Main Authors: Horsey, Bridget, Perry, Jenna, Nyemah, Joseph, Craven, Dana, Burkhart, Sarah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1499-4046; 1878-2620
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2023.05.023

Schools provide a unique opportunity to educate and motivate Pacific Island students and the wider Pacific Island community about food systems, food production activities (eg, gardening and cooking) and to focus on the knowledge and skills needed to make healthy and sustainable food choices. However, it has been reported that school educators can find it challenging to translate food and nutrition curriculum to lesson plans and learning activities and source contextually-relevant resources. This project aimed to identify food and nutrition curriculum materials and professional development/upskilling activities available for Pacific Island educators, to inform the development of a web-based resource. In 2022, a systematic desk-based scoping activity was undertaken to identify any resources available to teach food and nutrition in Pacific Island schools (primary and secondary level) and professional development opportunities relevant for educators for 14 countries. Identification, and categorisation of food and nutrition teaching resources and professional development opportunities. There are limited resources and opportunities for Pacific Island food and nutrition teachers to upskill in food and nutrition education. There are several resources that are available for specific countries, but few that are designed for use regionally. Some of these resources are directly aligned to food-based dietary guidelines, while others appear to be developed for specific activities by non-governmental organisations. Resources that could support food and nutrition education in schools was related to cooking, ocean and waterway foods, food in schools, food safety, gardening, healthy eating, pacific research, sustainability, teaching practice and WASH. School educators may benefit from more food and nutrition resources and professional development activities to complement those that are currently available. Given the challenges experienced in locating and sourcing resources, all resources and professional development opportunities were collated and linked to on a web-based resource, the Pacific School Food Hub. This work was undertaken within a project funded by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Sub-regional Office for the Pacific Islands.