Eat With Understanding: A UM Student Guide to Food Systems

Author

• James Deacon, University of Montana, MissoulaFollow
• Cora Johnson, University of Montana, MissoulaFollow
• Lucas Dymit, University of Montana, MissoulaFollow
• Kaeli Rackham, University of Montana, MissoulaFollow
• Elsie Danyo, University of Montana, MissoulaFollow

Graduation Year

2026

Graduation Month

May

Document Type

Thesis

Faculty Mentor

Catalina de Onis

Keywords

Food System, Wellbeing, Food Insecurity, Community, Food Sovereignty, Sustainability

Subject Categories

Adult and Continuing Education | Agricultural Education | Agriculture | Community-Based Learning | Global Studies | Leadership Studies | Nutrition | Other Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

The industrialized food system creates environmental harm, reduces food sovereignty, and contributes to growing food insecurity. These problems oftentimes are overlooked in higher education. To address this gap, our project examines how access to sustainable food education and campus-community partnerships can improve well-being and informed decision-making amongst University of Montana students. This collaborative project connects partners within UM Wellness, PEAS Farm, the Missoula Food Bank and Community Center, and the Big Sky Culinary Institute. Our research includes applied learning with these organizations by hosting a variety of speaker series presentations and coordinating a cooking workshop. We collected quantitative and qualitative data through anonymous surveys administered at Wellness Wednesday tabling events, before and after speaker sessions, and at our hands-on workshop. These surveys assessed baseline student experiences with food access, changes in knowledge and attitudes, and anticipated shifts in food-related behaviors. Student respondents reported in over fifty surveys that accessing healthy and sustainable food often is constrained by time and the cost of products. However, many student responses associated the importance of a sustainable food system with well-being. Concluding with partner interviews and hosting a collaborative community meeting, we documented organizational perspectives, identifying where partnerships could continue in higher education beyond the Spring 2026 semester. Moving forward, this project strives to connect students with a diverse perspective of our local food system, emphasizing sustainability and well-being by participating in programming offered by the PEAS Farm and Big Sky Culinary Institute. With the new “Farm-to-Table Swap,” our project will continue to deepen food literacy, promote equitable food environments, and strengthen local networks that support student success beyond the classroom. By doing so, this project seeks to minimize disconnections between the UM Mountain campus, Missoula College, and community partners.

Honors College Research Project

1

GLI Capstone Project

yes

Recommended Citation

Deacon, James; Johnson, Cora; Dymit, Lucas; Rackham, Kaeli; and Danyo, Elsie, "Eat With Understanding: A UM Student Guide to Food Systems" (2026). Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts. 585.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/utpp/585