Global Food Challenge

The Global Food Challenge is a unique competition for high school students, providing an opportunity for students to engage in research about food issues around the world and address problems using their economic knowledge.

Students, individually or in teams, will perform research on a question or issue they are curious about in food trade, food markets, food safety, or food security. Using this research and their understanding of economics, students will communicate their conclusions in a paper that is entered to win cash prizes.

To help teach students about the economics of the food system, we offer a free companion curriculum series for teachers. The curriculum helps students understand the underlying economic concepts while introducing new applications for their knowledge and providing a framework for engaging in discussions about the global food system.


The Minnesota Council on Economic Education is grateful to AgriBank for their generous support of the 2023 Global Food Challenge competition. 

2022 Competition Winners

1st Place - Food Markets 

BananasMegan M.Cotter High School

2nd Place - Food Markets 

ApplesHallie H.Albany High School

1st Place - Food Safety

Got rBSTJimmy V.Edina High School

2nd Place - Food Security

Food SecurityBetty G.M., Gabriel R-M., Melanie M.M.Austin High School

1st Place - Food Trade 

Poultry CommodityKatherine O.Albany High School 

2nd Place - Food Trade

CocoaHope G.Albany High School

Past 5 Years Global Food Challenge Winners

Food Markets

2021: Coffee  |  Cotter Schools

Food Trade

2021: Cinnamon  |  Cloquet Senior High School

Food Safety

2021: NA

Food Security

2021: NA