Case Study: Scaling a Food Literacy Program Through User Research

Updated Food for Us Teacher Guide (2022)

Redesigned curriculum aligned with the 2019 Canada’s Food Guide, incorporating inclusive content, modern visuals, and updated instructional approaches.

A longitudinal mixed-methods UX research protocol that informed the design and scaling of a digital learning ecosystem.

Recipient of the Ellyn Satter Seal of Approval.

Context

Original Food for Us Teacher Guide (mid-2000s)

Print-based curriculum aligned with pre-2019 Canada’s Food Guide.

Original Food for Us Student Booklet (mid-2000s)

Print-based curriculum aligned with pre-2019 Canada’s Food Guide.

Food for Us (FFU) is a Grade 2–3 food literacy program developed by registered dietitians at the BC Dairy Association to help educators teach foundational nutrition concepts aligned with Canada’s Food Guide. Delivered through 10 classroom lessons, the program was validated with over 8,000 students through pre- and post-implementation evaluation.

After completing the program:

  • more than 96% of teachers surveyed were ‘very satisfied’ or ‘satisfied’ that most students could classify foods into food groups and demonstrate an understanding of balanced meals and healthy snacks.

Six to nine weeks after taking the program:

  • over 90% of the students could name and classify foods by food group, essential skills for planning balanced meals and choosing healthy snacks.

Behaviour changed at home:

  • Parents packed more balanced lunches for their children, suggesting the program effects transferred from the students to their parents.

Challenge

Following the 2019 update to Canada’s Food Guide, the Food for Us curriculum no longer reflected current federal guidance. Beyond policy alignment, the program’s content, visuals, and delivery model also required modernization to reflect contemporary classroom needs, including digital access, inclusive representation, and equitable learning experiences.

Rather than assuming a simple content refresh would suffice, a research-driven approach was undertaken to understand educator needs, barriers, and preferences before redesigning the program.