New Mission Explorium program teaches youth about food waste solutions
Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C) and Second Harvest have teamed up to introduce a new educational initiative aimed at helping young Canadians better understand food waste and sustainability. The new Food Waste Quest has been added to the national Mission Explorium program and is designed for students in Grades 6 to 8.
The Food Waste Quest encourages students to explore the causes of food waste, its impact on communities and the environment, and practical ways to reduce waste. Through interactive learning activities, classroom discussions, and real-world problem-solving exercises, participants gain a deeper understanding of how food travels through the supply chain and where losses occur.
Food waste continues to be a major challenge across Canada and around the world. A significant amount of food produced each year never reaches consumers. This creates environmental, economic, and social concerns. The new Quest helps students understand these challenges while encouraging them to think of innovative solutions that can make a difference in their homes, schools, and communities.
The initiative was developed in partnership with Second Harvest, Canada's largest food rescue organization. By combining AITC-C's expertise in agriculture education with Second Harvest's leadership in food recovery and waste reduction, the program provides students with valuable knowledge and practical learning experiences.
Mission Explorium is a national inquiry-based learning program that allows students to explore different aspects of Canada's food system. Existing learning modules focus on ecosystems, agriculture, and food and culture. The new Food Waste Quest expands the program by introducing sustainability-focused content that connects classroom learning with real-world food system challenges.
Students participating in the Quest are encouraged to investigate how food is grown, moved, processed, distributed, and consumed. They also learn how waste occurs at different stages and discover strategies that individuals, businesses, and communities can use to prevent food loss.
“At Agriculture in the Classroom Canada, we believe every student should have access to meaningful, curriculum‑aligned learning about Canada’s food system. The Food Waste Quest adds an essential sustainability lens to Mission Explorium and helps students connect real‑world food system challenges with hands‑on, inquiry‑based learning,” said Denise Schmidt, Executive Director, Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC‑C).
She added, “We’re proud to partner with Second Harvest to bring this important experience to youth across Canada, and we’re excited to see how students use their creativity and critical thinking to imagine—and build—a more waste‑smart future.”
Beyond teaching environmental awareness, the program also promotes critical thinking, teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Students are challenged to develop practical solutions that support a more efficient and sustainable food system. These activities help participants build confidence while learning about the important role agriculture plays in everyday life.
The program also highlights career opportunities within Canada's agri-food sector. By exploring food systems and sustainability issues, students gain insights into careers involving agriculture, environmental management, food science, research, and community development.
Registration for Mission Explorium is now open for educators working with Grades 6 to 8 students in classrooms, homeschool settings, and after-school programs. Participants can compete in regional and national competitions that showcase student ideas and solutions.
“The Food Waste Quest helps students gain a better understanding of our food system and empowers them to develop solutions that drive long-lasting, positive change. Second Harvest is thrilled to partner with Agriculture in the Classroom Canada to bring this important learning experience to youth across Canada and we can’t wait to see what the next generation of changemakers will achieve,” said Lori Nikkel, CEO, Second Harvest.
The 2027 competition begins with regional activities starting Jan. 7 and concluding Apr. 16. Regional winners will be announced Apr. 23. National competition activities begin Apr. 26 and run through May 6, with national winners scheduled to be announced on May 14.
Agriculture in the Classroom Canada is a national charitable organization dedicated to connecting students and educators with agriculture and food literacy. Working alongside member organizations across the country, AITC-C develops curriculum-linked resources that help young people better understand Canada's food system.
With the addition of the Food Waste Quest, the organization continues to provide engaging educational experiences that inspire future generations to become informed consumers, responsible citizens, and potential leaders within the agriculture and food sectors.
To register click on the link: https://aitcdashboard.ca/programs/mission_explorium/nat/2027/expo/teacher/
Photo Credit: AITC