This unit offers you the opportunity to better understand the role that food plays in Australia’s ecological political economy. Taking a critical, coupled human and natural systems (CHANS) approach, you will study the structure and operation of our modern ‘linear’, export-oriented food system, which is increasingly under scrutiny for its carbon emissions, pesticide and herbicide use, marketing of HSSF foods (which are high in salt, sugar and fat), plastic packaging and food waste. ‘Food deserts’ (areas where no sustainable, nutritious, seasonal food is available) and ‘food swamps’ (areas with a high density of fast-food outlets) will also be examined from the perspective of food justice.

The unit investigates the policies required for a ‘just transition’ to what is termed a ‘circular food economy’ and considers the degree to which these can be operationalised through movements like agroecology, community supported agriculture, farmers markets, slow food, vegetarianism and veganism.

You will learn about different approaches to systems thinking, how systems thinking can be operationalised in the production of community food maps, and what policy reforms are required to ensure that Australia’s and Tasmania’s 21st century food system delivers for people and planet as well as profit. You will also be encouraged to reflect on your own food habits and consider the degree to which these might need to be reformed based on what you learn in the unit.