The second module focuses on the importance of obtaining food justice in order to understand how changes need to be made within the global food system. In order to have food justice present, individuals need to focus on concepts such as food security and food sovereignty to examine the deeper problems embedded within our society. For instance, this module has presented how the terminology of words can create certain limitations on trying to achieve change. In both Pinstrup (2009) and Maxwell’s (1996) articles they explore the term food security and the different ways this term can be viewed. Maxwell (1996) explores three different shifts in thinking about food security and the problems that come about with this thinking. I believe it is important …show more content…
For instance, it is relatively important to realize that food justice “ is an analysis that recognizes the food system itself as a racial project and problematizes the influence of race and class on the production, distribution and consumption of food.” (Alkon& Agyeman, 2011, p.5). Having considered these aspects, it is important to realize the change that needs to be set into place in order to make food justice possible. Reflecting on the frameworks that Holt and Shattuck (2011) provide we are able to get a greater understanding on which frameworks are more idealistic to obtain food justice. For instance, I believe that exploring a reformist trend to approach food problems takes into consideration changes that need to be made on a governmental level. It recognizes the need to change the way distribution takes place, which can also be related to the radical trend they mention. Although I personally do not have the answer as to which trend can create more beneficial changes, I think that if we are able to start with small changes to polices and practices already present we can combine both of these trends to benefit consumer
In her essay, “Food’s Class Warfare,” author Tracie McMillan promotes the inclusion of both “individual changes and structural ones” (217), particularly “class consciousness” (217), in the fight for quality diets in America. She reveals the most common sides of the healthy food debate as the inherent “just-buy-better stuff logic” (215) and the opposing “structural challenges of eating well” (215). The main strategies for defeating the American “obesity epidemic” (216) have been reaching out to the individual, as well as changing the structure of the American food system itself. The favorite concept for structuralists is “food deserts - neighborhoods with insufficient grocery stores and thus insufficient supplies of healthy food” (216). She deems the concept insufficient in practice, as it ignores smaller markets and equates large stores with a healthy food source. While the individual viewpoint and structuralists argue with each other, they share common ideals. According to
"Learning Democracy through Food Justice Movements." Academia. N.p., 21 Apr. 2005. Web. 9 Apr. 2014. .
The tactics used for gaining land in foreign countries is a causing these developing nations to continue to have problems with food security. The mistreatment of the agro-workers and animals is just a way to get the most money in the least taxing way possible. The truth behind the global food system is told in this part of the book. The pros and cons are both listed, and even though the cons severely out-weigh the pros, I don’t believe there is going to be any change to peoples’ behavior towards food. I think this because although most people are informed that their food wasn’t grown in the best conditions, or treated as a family pet, but rather a means to an end, nothing has changed except for the fact that there are more documentaries like Food Inc. coming out. Something completely detrimental has to happen to the global food system in order for people to realize that what we are doing is not safe, healthy, or beneficial in the long run. Being aware of all these ethical issues in our food system is just the first step. Knowing how to provide a different solution to the problems we now face is the
A major issue that is occurring in America is a phenomena known as “food deserts”, most are located in urban areas and it's difficult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh food. Whereas in the past, food deserts were thought to be solved with just placing a grocery store in the area, but with times it has become an issue that people are not picking the best nutritional option. This issue is not only making grocery store in food deserts are practically useless and not really eliminating the issue of food deserts because even when they are given a better nutritional option, and people are not taking it. In my perspective, it takes more than a grocery store to eliminate ‘food deserts’. It's more about demonstrating the good of picking the nutritional option and how it can help them and their families. For example, “Those who live in these areas are often subject to poor diets as a result and are at a greater risk of becoming obese or developing chronic diseases.”(Corapi, 2014).
In the article, “A Food Manifesto for the Future”, Mark Bittman makes his claim on how our American diet is unhealthy and unsafe towards our bodies and the environment as well. Within his piece, he includes multiple suggestions that could be implemented towards the foundation of a healthier, and safer diet. Within all these recommendations, Bittman states that, “When people cook their own food, they make better choices.” I decided to argue for this proposal, after personal experiences that I have had recently where I was able to see the difference between cooking at home, and eating out. Within Bittman’s piece, he states that we should, “encourage and subsidize home cooking”, which at first I did not understand how exactly our nation could subsidize home
The United States Department of Agriculture defines food unsecurity as the availability of nutritionally adequate and safe food, or the ability to acquire such food, is limited or uncertain for a household. Food insecurity also does not always mean that the household has nothing to eat. More simply stated it is the struggle to provide nutritional food for ones family and/or self. The people that suffer from food insecurity are not all living below the poverty line. In 2012 49.0 million people were considered food insecure in the United States of those 46.5 million were in poverty (Hunger & Poverty Statistics, 2012). For some individual’s food insecurity is only a temporary situation for others it maybe for extended period. Food insecurity due temporary situation such as unemployment, divorce, major medical or illness can be become more long term. The vast majority of these are families with children.
...ut book. I really enjoyed how the author separated the chapters based off of how unjust the system is, to how it can change or has changed. I am not saying that just because a person loves food that they should read this book, but it documents how rich we are in creating changes to the unjust food system. The thing I enjoy most about this book is that anyone can learn something from it, since relates to different subjects. It discusses physics and biology, and even social sciences and humanities. The food justice movement already exists, with documented successes. It would be something grand if we all could share in that hope. The food justice movement is revealing and challenging the industrial food alliances in their passion to feed profits and not humans. Food justice teaches us that food is not a product for monetary speculation, but rather, a basic human right.
The book The No-Nonsense Guide to World Food, by Wayne Roberts introduces us to the concept of “food system”, which has been neglected by many people in today’s fast-changing and fast-developing global food scene. Roberts points out that rather than food system, more people tend to recognize food as a problem or an opportunity. And he believes that instead of considering food as a “problem”, we should think first and foremost about food as an “opportunity”.
In the United States, Food is one of the basic needs of life.We tend to spend tons of money every year to buy food. Consuming food reflects America’s culture in the United States. In America, Fast food is a way to enjoy delicious food made with sugar, fat and salt. It’s impossible to back away from eating good tasting food. Unfortunately, this is leading to major destruction. In the human life, food procurement, preparation, and consumption have devoted to an art form.Spite the terms of “America has a food problem,” it shows that our nation is unable to produce and supply safe, nutritious food in a way where it sustains our global population. Health Issues are a result of over consumption, which lead to portion sizes, and food production.
Nutritionism and Today’s Diet Nutritionism is the ideology that the nutritional value of a food is the sum of all its individual nutrients, vitamins, and other components. In the book, “In Defense of Food” by Michael Pollan, he critiques scientists and government recommendations about their nutritional advice. Pollan presents a strong case pointing out the many flaws and problems that have risen over the years of following scientific studies and government related warnings on the proper amount of nutrients needed for a healthy diet. Pollan’s main point is introducing science into our food system has had more of a negative impact than a positive one, we should go back to eating more of a traditional diet. I believe food science has given us
There are many problems confronting our global food system. One of them is that the food is not distributed fairly or evenly in the world. According “The Last Bite Is The World’s Food System Collapsing?” by Bee Wilson, “we are producing more food—more grain, more meat, more fruits and vegetables—than ever before, more cheaply than ever before” (Wilson, 2008). Here we are, producing more and more affordable food. However, the World Bank recently announced that thirty-three countries are still famine and hungers as the food price are climbing. Wilson stated, “despite the current food crisis, last year’s worldwide grain harvest was colossal, five per cent above the previous year’s” (Wilson, 2008). This statement support that the food is not distributed evenly. The food production actually increased but people are still in hunger and malnutrition. If the food were evenly distributed, this famine problem would’ve been not a problem. Wilson added, “the food economy has created a system in w...
Food and our food system is cause and consequence of some of the most pressing challenges we face today. Although some may state otherwise we must address that there is in fact enough food produced to feed our global population as it expressed through the evidence of both authors Timmerman from where am I eating along with Leppe from World Hunger. Our food system is not just a cause but is also affected by these problems. Although food production and distribution represent both economic and global value, it has been an ongoing issue that continues to be ignored. The primary root stems from power, which is concentrated throughout each stage in the food supply chain with no sight of change for the future. Why? These issues aren’t occurring primarily
And, because food now comes at a low cost, it has become cheaper in quality and therefore potentially dangerous to the consumer’s health. These problems surrounding the ethics and the procedures of the instantaneous food system are left unchanged due to the obliviousness of the consumers and the dollar signs in the eyes of the government and big business. The problem begins with the mistreatment and exploitation of farmers. Farmers are essentially the backbone of the entire food system. Large-scale family farms account for 10% of all farms, but 75% of overall food production (CSS statistics).
Our current globalized food system expands all around the world providing us with food products that are available all year round no matter what season it is or what weather it is or how far away it comes from. While our globalized economy has created many advantages like progressive technology, cultural awareness, availability of product and goods from all around the world, promotion of peace and understanding between countries through import and export as well as more opportunities for individuals and businesses to expand. On the other hand, globalization is the reason for ruined local economies, monopolization of industries, the huge gap between the wealthy and poor, the destruction of individuality and culture as well as the destruction of our environment and the increase of land degradation. Food is a part of every individual, community, land, culture and nation which has been highly effected by the globalized economy through industrialization, transportation, chemicals, technology and media creating a globalized supply chain by leaving a path of mutilated food, land and culture. Food systems all over the world are increasingly become unsustainable, unstable and reliant on global systems which leads to the high rise in food costs, living standards and poverty in developed and undeveloped nations. In order to bring back balance and sustainability into the environment, land and our lives we need to create and live by a framework of an equitable food system that will benefit all living creatures, mother nature, bring social equity and break cultural barriers that will ultimately lead to a peaceful, healthy and sustainable world. Progressively, my framework for a sustainable food system is a community based system which would i...
In 30 years, fast food industry has grown 20 times. Fast food, by definition is “designed for ready availability, use or consumption with little consideration given to quality or significance. Fast food consists of finger food such as hamburgers, French fries, chicken nuggets, pizza. Fast food expansion led to change in infrastructure and pushed supermarkets out of urban areas. Furthermore, Urban communities lack access to adequate health care and education and consequently, the extreme effect of over consumption of fast foods on low-income people. Food oppression is defined as structure, which stems from institutionalized practices and policies of government and the fast food industry. Cooperation between the state and fast food industry engenders artificially low prices, permits public schools to push test food products and advertising and leads to false information about the health benefits and should not be purely a fit driven and should cater for the harms of food fast food. Also, the discrimination between the whites and blacks is clearly illustrated, thus showing how the big food organizations and the government are doing their best to push the black ones in the vicious circle of over consumption in order to let the dominating power prevail over