Changes in the foods we eat
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe how food production, processing and distribution has changed over time and identify potential positive and negative impacts of these changes.
Key learning points
- The foods routinely available in the UK have numerous places of origin around the world; many are imported.
- Contemporary food production, processing and distribution systems are much more complex than those of the past.
- There are potential positive and negative impacts of contemporary food production, processing and distribution systems.
Keywords
Place of origin - The place of origin is the place where something first comes from
Imported - Goods that are imported are brought in from another country
Greenhouse gas emissions - Greenhouse gas emissions are gases that are released and trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere
In season - In season means the time of year when a food is naturally ready for harvesting
Processing - Processing means making changes to a food’s natural state. An example is cooking beans in a tomato sauce and preserving them in tins
Common misconception
Limited understanding of the difference between unprocessed and processed or ultra-processed foods.
Sort some different foods into categories according to their level of processing.
Teacher tip
This lesson has strong links with other subjects such as history, science and DT. As an extension activity, learners could investigate the origins of other food types.
Equipment
Information books and/or access to the internet
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The main ingredient of bread is often...
Q2.Which of these foods also contain wheat?
Q3.Put these stages of food production in order.
Q4.In addition to flour what else is needed to make bread?
Q5.Why is bread made in factories?
Q6.How many loaves of bread are sold every day in the UK?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the key term with the correct definition.
the place where something first comes from
the time of year when a food is naturally ready for harvesting
goods brought in from another country
Q2.Match the food to its place of origin.
Central America
West Asia
Central Asia
Q3.When did humans first start farming?
Q4.What types of food processing were used first?
Q5.What are the positives to food processing?
Q6.What are the negatives to food processing?
To help you plan your 6 geography lesson on: Changes in the foods we eat, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 geography lesson on: Changes in the foods we eat, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 geography lessons from the Farms and factories: where does our food come from? unit, dive into the full primary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.