Mesa Community College

Food and Nutrition

Sustainable Food Systems at Mesa Community College

Fresh from the farm

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Program Description

Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.
~ Demosthenes, Greek Statesman and orator

The Sustainable Food Systems AAS degree is designed for a diverse student population. The program provides students with an overview of the Nation’s current food model and alternative methods for creating a more sustainable model. Courses include concepts supporting the real food movement, which represents reeducating people about the way food is grown, purchased, prepared, consumed, and better ways to dispose of the waste. In addition, courses will cover sanitation guidelines, basic principles, and preparation techniques for the cooking and baking process.

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) is designed for students who may already have a degree in a related or unrelated area or for those who have a personal interest in bringing the multi-faceted concept of Sustainable Food Systems to fruition. Course topics cover concepts supporting the real food movement, sanitation guidelines, basic principles and preparation techniques for the cooking and baking  process.

Our vision:

We nourish the local and global community by fostering the growth of real food and real jobs.

Our mission:

We provide students a strong sustainable food systems foundation so that they become systems-oriented change agents.

Our goals:

We will contribute to the socially aware, skilled, entrepreneurial workforce in the emerging fields of organic agriculture and sustainable local food systems by educating students who will:
· stimulate the creation of green jobs.
· support the growth of community and school educational gardens.
· raise the level of environmental, health, safety, and social awareness.
· kindle the joy of growing, preparing, and eating real food with others.
· reorient resources, programs and policies.
· create opportunities for wholesome food to be available to all.
· shift control of the food supply to people in the local community.
· improve the freshness and nutritional quality of campus food.
· model self-reliance.

"If you want to build a ship, don't drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea."

~Antoine De Saint-Exupéry

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Sustainable Food Systems flyer front side
Sustainable Food Systems flyer back side

Degrees and Certificate Curriculum

Sustainable Food Systems
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)/ Certificate of Completion (CCL):

Certificate and Degree Programs

Are you interested in local, healthful, fair, sustainable foods? Looking for like-minded students and faculty who support these initiatives, too? Are you interested in knowing how other urbanites are living this “slow” lifestyle? If so, our new degree and certificate programs in Sustainable Food Systems may offer just the right career or personal interest pathway for you.

Our program will empower you to use food practices that benefit others and the environment. You will also learn about:

  • the slow or real food movement
  • the way food is grown
  • how and where food is purchased
  • where, how, with whom food is eaten
  • how the food waste is disposed
  • how we can easily change this current system to be more human and earth friendly.

Download the degrees and certificate information:

Internship Suggestions:

Job Opportunities

For students who work in the food, nutrition or agriculture sectors already, those with a personal interest in sustainable food practices, as well as those with no culinary, nutrition, or agriculture background, the Sustainable Food Systems degree/certificate will provide new and exciting opportunities in the emerging fields of organic agriculture and sustainable local food systems. Some of these jobs exist, some are just emerging, and some must be created and incorporated into sustainable food systems.

Sustainable Food Jobs
Connecting You with Current Job Opportunities!
Sustainable Food Systems Jobs Board

Types of Sectors:
The following sector types were garnered from a web search of sustainable food systems job listings.

  • Catering
  • Restaurants
  • Agriculture
  • Non-profit supporting sustainable foods
  • School Food Service
  • Food Companies
  • Grocery Stores  
  • Organic Farms
  • Hospitals and Care Centers

Types of Jobs
The following job titles were garnered from a web search of sustainable food systems job listings.

  • Greenhouse Manager
  • Food Safety Manager
  • Educator
  • Community Gardener
  • Dietitian
  • Executive Chef
  • Banquet Chef  
  • Community Organizer in Sustainable Agriculture
  • Communications Specialist
  • Corporate Wellness Coordinator
  • Non-Profit Project Specialist
  • Garden-based Nutrition Educator
  • Seed Farm Manager
  • Assistant Garden Manager
  • Food Demonstrator

Types of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Skills
The following knowledge, attitude, and skills were garnered from a web search of sustainable food systems job listings.

  • Interest in urban gardening, local food, social justice, urban schools, and the environment.
  • Strong interpersonal communication, collaboration, and emotional intelligence.
  • Ability to work independently, flexible, detail-oriented, strives for excellence, creative thinker.
  • Experience with basic tractor and implement maintenance and upkeep.
  • Experience working with non-profits and non-governmental agencies.
  • Must be knowledgeable and passionate  about the environment, health, sustainability, food system and organics.
  • Smart, innovative, super-energetic and tech-savvy mover and shaker.
  • Must be able to work with special interest groups and members of the public.
  • Experience as a nursery/greenhouse worker.
  • Experience with organics and USDA certification.
  • Enjoys hands-on growing activities with expertise in all aspects of crop production including purchasing supplies, propagation, potting, fertilizing, watering, pest and disease management practices, and maintaining environmental controls.
  • Proven skills and knowledge of nutritional cooking techniques.
  • Current ServSafe certification based on the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.
  • Organic agricultural experience, either based on a degree in Sustainable Agriculture or related field, or from life experience.
The degree courses will be taught by Registered Dietitians, Chefs, and Agriculturalists. Some courses will feature interdisciplinary teams of faculty, representing all three areas.

 

Resources

Sustainable Food Systems Resources

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