Overview

The Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) specialization will train students to approach key food system challenges critically and innovatively. The specialization will define food systems holistically, to include all stages of the food supply chain: from agriculture and production, through processing, transportation, retail, consumption, and waste; and including the diversity of private sector, NGO, research, and government agencies that aim to influence the sustainability of these systems. Students will learn how to think about food and the environment from a systems perspective; to understand the interactions between science, policy, and ethics; and to understand the trade-offs and synergies between different objectives, solutions, and outcomes.

Students graduating from this track will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to become leaders in improving the sustainability of food systems, and might pursue careers in the private sector, government, or a non-profit organization, in the US or internationally. Colorado’s Front Range is rapidly cementing its reputation as a global leader in sustainable food system innovation, and students will benefit from frequent, direct access to leading locally-based food system entrepreneurs and thinkers.

Meet the Faculty

SFS Required Classes 

Examines agricultural and food law and policy in the United States with a focus on enhancing sustainability and equity while ensuring a sufficient food supply. Surveys the history, overlapping mandates, authority, philosophies, and rules of the USDA, FDA, and EPA. Investigates policies pertaining to production, environmental impacts, food constituents, labeling, safety, manufacturing, marketing, retail, nutrition guidance and assistance programs. Recommended prerequisites: Introduction to Sustainable Food Systems: Nourishing Humanity within Planetary Boundaries. Previously offered as a special topics course.

The course will explore the evidence and ideas underlying some of the most important contemporary food system debates. We will ask: in enhancing the environmental sustainability of food systems, what do the data tell us about the roles that can be played by genetically engineered food, organic agriculture, local food systems, changes to animal agriculture, and reductions in food waste? Students will draw on peer-reviewed research to address the science, policy, and ethical dimensions of these topics.

Take each one-credit modules from among the courses below to build quantitative skills relevant to food systems work.

Benefit Cost Analysis (ENVM 5043)

Life Cycle Assessment - Bringing Objectivity into Subjective Conversations (ENVM 5044)

Introduction to Monitoring & Evaluation (ENVM 5045)

SFS Core and Elective Options (students must choose one):

Integrating a scientific framework, and ecological concepts with a concern social justice and cultural regeneration, this class introduces students to Agro-ecology as a discipline and a set of practices highlighting the multi-functionality of agricultural systems. We will also explore Agro-ecology as a social movement that aims to leverage traditional ecological knowledge to decolonize the multiple ecologies from seed to gut.

The course will explore the evidence and ideas underlying some of the most important contemporary food system debates. We will ask: in enhancing the environmental sustainability of food systems, what do the data tell us about the roles that can be played by genetically engineered food, organic agriculture, local food systems, changes to animal agriculture, and reductions in food waste? Students will draw on peer-reviewed research to address the science, policy, and ethical dimensions of these topics.

This course will examine the justice implications of the relationship between humans and the natural environment and in particular land use. We will take as a premise that all people have the right to access clean water, air and soil and to be free of contamination and hazardous pollution. We will look at current struggles and debates around topics of environmental quality and the processes that deny people access to basic resources and force some communities to bear environmental burdens more than other communities. In particular we will focus on the well-established ecological, economic and health related outcomes of the current industrial food system model. This course will ask students to link theories of social inequality and dynamics of power to those of environmental studies. This class will aim to foster student led discussions around race, class, countries of origin, and gender to understand how social relations of production and power intersect with environmental outcomes. We will primarily focus on the US but some attention will be given to international perspectives and issues.

Important note: these specialization requirements were updated in November 2021 and are applicable for current MENV students beginning the program in August 2021. All other MENV students should refer to their cohort’s curriculum for degree requirements.

Students must take a total of four SFS courses (12 credits): three core classes and one core elective.