Academic Catalog - 2026-2027

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Geography, Planning, and Recreation

Sustainable Food Systems, Minor


Academic Information

Pending ABOR approval.

Food system sustainability is a cross-disciplinary professional and academic field, which draws on the natural, social, and applied sciences. Housed in the Program in Sustainable Communities (Geography, Planning, and Recreation), the core courses in the minor train students in the history and emergence of food system sustainability debates, as well as the principles of food equity and justice. Students will supplement core coursework with the electives best suited to their interests, especially nutrition, environmental science, sociology/anthropology, hospitality, or food systems modeling. Students will also be encouraged to undertake experiential coursework as part of their minor, which may include participation in Community-University-Partnered Inquiry courses, a hands-on course in principles of Permaculture, or a food-system focused capstone project.

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Academic Catalog - 2026-2027

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Geography, Planning, and Recreation

Sustainable Food Systems, Minor


Careers

What Can I Do with a minor in Sustainable Food Systems?

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Academic Catalog - 2026-2027

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Geography, Planning, and Recreation

Sustainable Food Systems, Minor


University Requirements

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Academic Catalog - 2026-2027

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Geography, Planning, and Recreation

Sustainable Food Systems, Minor


Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

No more than fifty percent of the units used to satisfy minor requirements may be used to satisfy major requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 18

Purpose Statement

Food system sustainability is a cross-disciplinary professional and academic field, which draws on the natural, social, and applied sciences. Housed in the Program in Sustainable Communities (Geography, Planning, and Recreation), the core courses in the minor train students in the history and emergence of food system sustainability debates, as well as the principles of food equity and justice. Students will supplement core coursework with the electives best suited to their interests, especially in nutrition, environmental science, sociology/anthropology, hospitality, or food systems modeling. Students will also be encouraged to undertake experiential coursework as part of their minor, which may include participation in Community-University-Partnered Inquiry courses, a hands-on course in principles of Permaculture, or a food-system focused capstone project.

These classroom-based and hands-on learning experiences will prepare students to take leadership roles in food system sustainability at the local, municipal, state, or regional levels. Relevant career pathways include sustainable food production; supply chain management; food processing and distribution; non-profit food assistance or social services; food policy; advocacy for Indigenous food sovereignty; and food waste reduction and management. These prospective career pathways integrate interests across social and natural sciences, engineering, health, and communications.

Student Learning Outcomes

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Academic Catalog - 2026-2027

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Geography, Planning, and Recreation

Sustainable Food Systems, Minor


Details

Minor Requirements
Additional Information
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Academic Catalog - 2026-2027

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Geography, Planning, and Recreation

Sustainable Food Systems, Minor


Campus Availability

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