ECP’s “Rethinking Food Waste” Receives “Teacher Picks” Badge from We Are Teachers

ATLANTA, March 25, 2025 – ATLANTA, March 24, 2025 – The Educated Choices Program (ECP) has received a "Teacher Picks" badge from We Are Teachers for its free, engaging, and impactful education package, “Rethinking Food Waste.” This recognition highlights ECP’s commitment to delivering teacher-tested, teacher-approved curricula that captivate students while aligning with key educational standards.

To earn this badge, “Rethinking Food Waste” was implemented by New Jersey educator Christine Arsenis in her middle-grade environmental club, consisting of 7th and 8th graders (ages 12-14). The video presentation took her students on a journey alongside a slice of pepperoni pizza, from field to landfill, uncovering the environmental impact of food waste at every stage of the process. Beyond the video, the digital education package includes lesson plans, guided notes, quizzes, and interactive activities, having students explore real-world applications and inspiring them to take action in their schools and communities.

Students responded particularly well to the Day 2 guided practice, where they broke into groups to analyze natural resource usage and habits necessary for promoting sustainability at local, regional, and global levels. The lesson reinforced their school’s food donation project, helping students connect classroom learning with real-world action.

"My students working together to bounce ideas off each other, not only from the video but also their personal experiences, was fantastic," says Arsenis. "It made the video content seem more realistic and applicable to daily life."

After implementing the education, Arsenis praised its versatility across multiple subjects, including science, economics, health, and environmental studies. She also emphasized the value it provides to educators. "Having a structured plan with clear standards makes it easy for teachers of all backgrounds to implement," Arsenis noted.

Beyond the success of this lesson, Arsenis plans to incorporate additional Educated Choices Program resources, including Future of Food, The Planet and Our Plates, and Growing Community Roots, into her classrooms moving forward. 

For a deeper look into Christine Arsenis’ experience implementing Rethinking Food Waste in her classroom, read the blog post, where she shares additional insights on student engagement and key takeaways.

About We Are Teachers

We Are Teachers is a community of over 3 million educators dedicated to sharing ideas, resources, and inspiring classroom stories. The platform advocates for teacher voices, equitable education, and better support for educators through improved pay, working conditions, and inclusive teaching practices. Learn more at www.weareteachers.com.

About Educated Choices Program

The Educated Choices Program is an award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides free food literacy education to equip students and community members with critical knowledge to improve human and planetary health. Its educational packages have been viewed by more than 3.7 million people across sixty-two countries and territories. Learn more at www.ecprogram.org.

Media Inquiries: Beth Champion, beth.champion@ecprogram.org

More information: www.ecprogram.org