Sustainable Food Systems Manager
Lead operations that connect local food production to communities.
View Full Testimonial“Unity’s flexibility to its students helped me effectively manage my time day-to-day. I could go to work without having to worry about losing hours because I needed to attend a virtual class or catch a test.”
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Learn More About the Culinary Innovation and Food Systems Program
Culinary innovation and food systems is a field of study that explores the connections between food, culture, sustainability, and business. It focuses on creating new approaches to cooking, nutrition, and food production while addressing issues like supply chains, food security, and environmental impact. Students in this field gain skills in culinary arts, sustainable sourcing, product development, and systems thinking to lead change in kitchens, communities, and the global food industry.
This degree prepares you for a career at the intersection of food science, sustainability, and systems thinking. You’ll build creative and technical skills in sustainable product development, supply chain innovation, and food policy, learning to make food production more ethical, efficient, and innovative. Graduates go on to diverse roles across the food industry, from culinary entrepreneurship to food science and education, helping build a more resilient and responsible food future.
Unity’s 90-credit Applied Bachelor’s program is designed to save you both time and money. With fewer credits required than a traditional 120-credit bachelor’s, you can save up to 25% on your degree cost. You may save even more if you transfer eligible credits from previous college coursework. Visit our Tuition & Financial Aid page to learn more about how you can pay for college.
Our 90-credit Applied Bachelor’s in Culinary Innovation and Food Systems is designed for flexibility, with year-round terms (8 per year). By taking 4 credits per term, you can complete your degree in just under 3 years.
Transfer credits can shorten your timeline even further, allowing you to finish even faster and start your career sooner.
Professional Core: 35 credits
Program Core: 48 credits
Elective Courses: 3 credits
- CHEM 101 Chemistry I
- ACCT 1010 Business Accounting
- FOOD 203 Fermented Foods
- BIOL 201 Organisms That Sustain the Earth: Understanding Plants
- ENTR 201 Entrepreneurial Thinking and Opportunity Recognition
- FOOD 201 Sustainable Culinary Development
- FOOD 2020 The Future of Food: Trends, Technologies, and Global Perspectives
- MATH 201 Statistics for Environmental Professionals
- SUFA 200 Farm to Table Supply Chain and Food Culture
- HORT 301 Growing Hydroponic and Aquaponic Crops
- FOOD 315 Plant-based Protein Alternatives
- ECON 305 Economic Development Within Planetary Boundaries and Sustainable Development Goals
- ENVJ 307 Food Systems and Social Justice
- MKTG 301 Introduction to Sustainable Branding
- HLTH 4010 Global Nutrition and Public Health
For course requirements and a better look into your program, view our full course catalog. Then apply online for free to get started.
WHAT YOU WILL STUDY
Culinary Innovation and Food Systems Course Examples
Food Systems and Social Justice
Explore the environmental impacts of food production and distribution, and how power and justice shape global food systems.
Sustainable Culinary Development
Learn foundational cooking techniques and sustainable sourcing while creating balanced dishes with global fusion influences.
Future of Food: Trends, Technologies, and Global Perspectives
Evaluate emerging innovations like cellular agriculture, AI in menu design, and food waste technologies reshaping food systems.
The 90-Credit Advantage
Give Your
Career an Edge
With Unity’s Career Edge digital badges, you won’t have to wait until graduation to prove your value. Every skills-first general education course in the Culinary Innovation and Food Systems program awards a shareable digital badge: portable, verifiable credentials you can display on LinkedIn, your resume, or job applications.
These badges highlight work-ready skills like communication, problem solving, collaboration, and data use, so employers can see exactly what you bring to the table. You’ll also earn a Transferable Workplace Skills Endorsement, giving you a recognized credential to advance your career even before completing your degree.
Realizing Your Potential. Protecting Your Planet.
Why Unity Career Edge?
High Educational Value
Nationally recognized educational quality at an affordable price.
Sustainability Core
Committed to sustainable practices to prepare for a future of environmental awareness.
Personalized Guidance
Dedicated to turning career and academic aspirations into tangible achievements.
Transfer-Friendly
Transfer up to 60 of your prior credits to save even more and finish faster.
Inspiring Faculty
Connect with experts who share your passion for working in the industry.
Future Success
Ranked in the top 1% of universities nationwide by the Social Mobility Index.
Multiple Start Dates
With up to 8 terms a year, you can take a break without jeopardizing financial aid.
Learning Flexibility
Balance life, work, and education by studying when and where you want
