Exploring Food Security in Social Work Field Education: Analysis of a Food Relief Program
Keywords:
Food insecurity, Social work field Education, Climate change, Faith-based, Ecological social work, Food reliefAbstract
This paper explores field education as a place for student learning with regard to house- hold food insecurity for vulnerable groups in regional Australia. Through the examination of a Uniting Church faith-based food relief program, students and field educators provide an analysis of the complex relationship between climate change, food insecurity and vulnerability. Using a critical reflective approach, the benefits and challenges associated with faith-based food relief programs and food security are discussed at the micro, meso and macro levels of practice. The authors conclude that this field education encounter provided a positive learning experience for students in relation to developing an increased awareness of food insecurity as part of social work’s vision for human rights and social justice. Implications for social work education are considered, including the need for a more inclusive and transformative approach to curriculum design for embedding the natural environment in social work.
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