Food Processing SHSM
From farm to fork, food safety and quality matter. Your Food Processing SHSM teaches you the science and standards behind food production. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Canada helps you set goals, build healthy habits, and develop the reliability that food industry employers look for.
How you can link your SHSM experiences with Award Canada:
Complementary SHSM Experiences:
Food safety certifications, food science training, quality control processes, production techniques, and food processing industry placements.
Example SMART Goal (Bronze, 13 Weeks):
Over the next 13 weeks, I’ll develop my food processing skills by spending about an hour each week on SHSM training in food safety, quality control, and production techniques. I’ll complete my food handler certification and track what new skills I can demonstrate each week.
Example Assessor:
SHSM Lead Teacher or Food Processing Industry Partner
Example Log for ORB:
Today I worked on food handler certification, learning about temperature control and cross-contamination. I memorized the critical temperatures for safe food storage. Next week, I’ll practice using food thermometers and learn about documentation procedures.
Complementary SHSM Experiences:
Physical conditioning for food processing work, stamina building for production line tasks, strength training, and fitness for standing and lifting.
Example SMART Goal (Bronze, 13 Weeks):
For the next 13 weeks, I’ll build my physical stamina for food processing work by spending about an hour each week on exercises that help with standing for long periods and repetitive tasks. I’ll track my progress through how long I can stay on my feet and how I feel after shifts.
Example Assessor:
Phys. Ed Teacher, Fitness Trainer, or SHSM Lead Teacher
Example Log for ORB:
Today I focused on leg strength and core exercises to help with standing. I kept good posture throughout the workout this time. Next week, I’ll add grip strength exercises for handling equipment and packaging.
Complementary SHSM Experiences:
Volunteering at food banks, community meal programs, food rescue organizations, and food security initiatives.
Example SMART Goal (Bronze, 13 Weeks):
Over the next 13 weeks, I’ll volunteer about an hour each week at a food bank or community kitchen, helping with sorting, preparation, or serving. I’ll track what I learn about food systems and how my efficiency improves.
Example Assessor:
Food Bank Supervisor or Community Kitchen Coordinator
Example Log for ORB:
Today I helped sort donated food, checking dates and organizing by category. I worked faster while still being accurate this time. Next week, I’ll help with meal prep and practice the food safety skills I learned in class.
(Completed as a team over 2 days and 1 night. Your team will plan, do, and review the journey together—learning through teamwork, challenge, and reflection.)
General Activity Description:
A food systems exploration where your team travels on foot to trace the journey food takes from farm to table. You’ll visit farms, food processing facilities, and markets, learning about food safety, production methods, and the careers that keep our food system running.
Example Team SMART Goal (Bronze – 2 Days, 1 Night):
As a team, we’ll complete a 2-day journey visiting at least three food system sites (farm, processing facility, market). We’ll document food safety practices and production methods, and reflect together on food industry careers and how we worked as a team to understand a complex system.
Example Assessor/Supervisor:
SHSM Lead Teacher, Food Industry Partner, or Public Health Inspector
Example Group Debrief (Progress-Focused):
Following food from farm to market showed us how many people work to get food to our tables. We got better at taking detailed notes at each stop and comparing observations. Next time, we’d arrange facility tours in advance and prepare food safety questions.
Career Pathways
- bakers
- butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale
- construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
- industrial electricians
- process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing
- biological technologists and technicians
- chemical technologists and technicians
- industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
- process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing
- biologists and related scientists
- business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants
- dietitians and nutritionists
- inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety
- supervisors, food and beverage processing
- labourers in food and beverage processing
- material handlers
- process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing
