School Talkabout on: FOODS / How are we going to Feed the World?

Waterman Talkabout – How Are We Going to Feed the World?

Food is more than what lands on a plate  it’s land, water, animals, people, and choices.
In this Talkabout, pupils explore where their food comes from, how it is produced, and what it might mean to feed a growing world fairly and sustainably.

What this Talkabout explores

Pupils begin by thinking about the food they know:
Do they eat mostly fresh fruit and vegetables or processed meals? Natural fish and meat or shaped, flavoured products?
From there, the Talkabout opens up big questions about population growth, farmland, wildlife habitats, industrial farming, and how our food choices affect water, land, and other species.

The session also introduces the idea of new and unusual foods — from regional dishes and “nose-to-tail” eating to algae, seaweeds, and other alternative protein sources. Pupils consider which foods might help or harm the planet if they became more common.

Pupil experience and skills

During this Talkabout, pupils are encouraged to:

• Compare different types of food: fresh, processed, farmed, and wild-caught.

• Ask questions about fairness, waste, and who gets enough to eat.

• Imagine future foods and design “planet-friendly menus” or products.

• Discuss the pros and cons of ideas like bigger farms, new species for food, or more efficient ways of eating.

• Express their views through discussion, drawing, posters, or simple research tasks.

Why it matters

As the global population grows, pressure increases on land, water, and wildlife. Pupils begin to see that every meal connects to farms, oceans, rivers, and people around the world, not just to a supermarket shelf.
By thinking critically about food waste, over-eating, farming methods, and new sources of protein (such as algae and other innovative options), learners start to understand how science, technology, and careful choices can help feed people without exhausting the planet.

This Talkabout can also spark interest in future careers such as food technology, sustainable farming, aquaculture, and environmental science — roles that will be vital for tomorrow’s world.

Curriculum links

• Science: Animals including humans (nutrition and health); living things and their habitats; food chains; environmental change.

• Geography: Land use, farming, global food supply, and trade.

• Design & Technology: Food, cooking, and designing for specific needs (health, environment).

• English: Discussion, explanation, persuasive speaking and writing about real-world issues.

• PSHE / Citizenship: Healthy lifestyles, needs vs wants, fairness, sustainability, global responsibility.

Take the next step

Use this Talkabout to launch a class project on “Future Foods” or “Waste-Free Lunches”, or to link with school Eco-Committee work on food and water.

Hungry to know more? Get in touch with World of Water to explore resources or plan a Talkabout on feeding the world.

Related:
Water in Farming

Archive Reference:  w15a.6