Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - JHS 1

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Define food commodities and their sources.
• Identify examples of animal and plant food commodities in Ghana.
• Discuss the nutritional and economic importance of food commodities.

Lesson summary

This lesson introduces learners to the concept of food commodities. We will explore what they are, where they come from (their sources), and why they are essential for our daily meals and survival. Understanding food commodities is the first step in learning about nutrition, food preparation, and the food industry in Ghana. It connects directly to the food we buy from the market, the meals we eat at home, like *fufu*, *banku*, and *jollof rice*, and the work our farmers do across the country.

Lesson notes

This section breaks down the core ideas learners need to understand. A. What is a Food Commodity?

A food commodity is any raw food item that is grown, raised, or collected to be eaten. It is the basic ingredient we use to prepare our meals. These are the items you see being sold at the local market—like raw yam, fresh fish, maize, tomatoes, or a live chicken. They are usually bought and sold in their natural or minimally processed state. Key Idea: Think of commodities as the "building blocks" of food. Before you have jollof rice, you need the commodities: rice, tomatoes, onions, and chicken. B. Classification of Food Commodities by Source

All the foods we eat come from two main sources: Plants and Animals. Food Commodities from Plant Sources

These are food items that we get from plants. They are grown by farmers in the soil. In Ghana, plant commodities form the largest part of our diet. We can group them into several categories: Cereals and Grains: These are the seeds of grass-like plants. They give us energy (carbohydrates). Examples: Maize (for *banku*, *kenkey*, *koko*), Rice (for *jollof rice*, rice balls), Millet and Sorghum (for *pito*, *TZ*), Wheat (for bread, biscuits). Roots and Tubers: These are the starchy parts of plants that grow underground. They are also a major source of energy. Examples: Cassava (for *gari*, *fufu*, *agbelikaklo*), Yam (for boiled or fried yam, *ampesi*), Cocoyam (for *fufu*, *nkontomire* stew), Sweet Potato. Legumes and Pulses: These are plants that have their seeds in a pod. They are excellent sources of protein, which helps our bodies grow and repair. Examples: Beans (like black-eyed beans for *waakye* or red beans for stew), Groundnuts (Peanuts), Soya beans, Bambara beans (*Aboboi*). Vegetables: These are parts of plants like leaves, stems, or flowers that we eat. They provide vitamins and minerals to keep us healthy and protect us from sickness. Examples: Kontomire (Cocoyam leaves), Gboma, Okro, Garden eggs, Cabbage, Onions, Tomatoes, Peppers (*kpakpo shito*, *mesewa*). Fruits: These are the sweet, fleshy parts of a plant that contain seeds. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and natural sugars. Examples: Mango, Orange, Pineapple, Pawpaw, Banana, Watermelon. Nuts and Oilseeds: These are seeds from which we can extract oil. They provide us with healthy fats and energy. Examples: Palm nuts (for palm oil and palm nut soup), Coconut, Shea nuts (for shea butter), Groundnuts (for groundnut oil). Food Commodities from Animal Sources