| dc.description.abstract | In an ideal world, food systems, including campus food systems, would reflect the needs
and values of the communities they serve. However, a lack of understanding can provide a window
of opportunity for multinational corporations (MNCs) to exert influence and control in food
systems.
The purpose of this study was to gauge the understanding that undergraduate students on
Dalhousie University's Studley Campus have of the campus food system. The study aimed to bring
to light whether a knowledge gap exists within the undergraduate student body with respect to
the food system. In this context, a knowledge gap was defined as “a disparity in levels of
knowledge” (Oxford University Press, 2017).
A one-sided pencil-and-paper survey was administered at three locations on Dalhousie’s
Studley Campus: the Killam Memorial Library, Life Science Centre (LSC) and the Dalhousie Student
Union Building (SUB). The survey contained eight questions, including non-identifying
demographic information and questions structured to gain insight into the level understanding
students had of the campus food system. The surveys were administered by teams of two over a
period of three days, 21-23 March 2017. A total of 116 surveys were collected.
The surveys were analyzed using chi-square tests and frequency counts. The chi-square
tests were conducted on SPSS statistics. The analysis yielded few statistically significant results
and as a result there is a dominant focus on the frequency data. The frequency data illustrates that
there is a knowledge gap with respect to the understanding of the campus food system. To
summarize the results, 65.5% of respondents knew “very little to little” about the campus food
system, and only 10.3% knew where to find additional information about the food system. Lastly,
only 6% of respondents felt that they knew how to voice their opinions, complaints, and concerns
about the food system.
Recognizing that a knowledge gap exists, it is paramount that there is a collective
movement by Dalhousie University, the Dalhousie Student Union (DSU) and other campus entities
to work toward a greater and more effective means of disseminating information. Including
actively engaging students in the process of developing these processes. Furthermore, it is
important to note that students have a shared responsibility in closing the knowledge gap, and
should participate in activities to create a food system that is reflective of their needs and values.
With a wider availability of information and a willingness by both Dalhousie University and its
students to work together, the campus community and food system will be more equitable and
reflective of the University's and student body's’ values. | en_US |
