Global Food Challenge

Please Note: There will be no Global Food Challenge for the 2023/24 school year.

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. 

2023 Competition Winners

1st Place - Food Markets 

Salmon Slaloming the Global Food MarketGrace R.Cotter Schools

2nd Place - Food Markets 

Zest is Best: The Global Market for OrangesAllyssa W.Cotter Schools

Past 5 Years 1st Place Winners

Food Markets

Food Trade

Food Safety

Food Security