Food Cultural Research
Julianna Vezza
Food-Cultural Research
NMD 200
http://www.takepart.com/article/2012/08/13/students-ask-their-colleges-serve-real-food
One of the articles I choose to read was the article called “College Students: Serve Us Real Food, Please”. I found this article very interesting and completely relatable to the project we are working on and researching in class. The article talked about “The Real Food Challenge” which is a nationwide movement that works with younger people to transform the food system and allow students to have healthier food options. The goal that the Real Food Challenge has is to get colleges and universities to shift $1 billion nationally from industrial food systems that has low quality food to “local/community-based food sources, otherwise known as “real food”. Student groups will then work together to educate dining service officials on the advantage of serving “real” food. Student Alexandra Villegas from the University of California Santa Cruz, Villegas made an effort to start Farm Fridays, where each Friday the dining halls would serve an all-local lunch for students. I think this effort that Alexandra was making would be extremely beneficial to her school as well as various campuses across the country. The idea that students are getting involved to shift the food systems and allow students the option of having healthier choices is a powerful step in the right direction. I think the Real Food Challenge movement should be attempted at the University of Maine in hopes to improve their food system and the challenges they are facing. This is a tremendous movement with a strong idea that could motivate students across the country in hopes to improve the food systems tremendously.
http://www.takepart.com/article/2012/10/02/eating-seasonally
Another article I found really interesting and relatable to the project we are doing in class is the article by Jane Lear about eating fresh, local products from markets and farmers. The important points this article suggested were that if you choose to buy local food you are supporting your local economy, environment, family farms and ultimately putting better quality food into your bodies. The article suggested that the best way to educate yourself on the local food in your area is to shop at a farmers market. The article mentioned the Union Square Market that happens in NYC during specific times in the year that is filled with fresh local products that tastes good, which is a market that I have been too many times. This article is suggesting that the fresher and riper the product is the higher the nutritional value of the food is, especially if the item is organic. I think this article is important for college students to read and understand because if students take advantage of local food markets close to their school they will eat healthier and be happier. If students choose to eat locally and at farmers markets, students on campus would be putting better food into their bodies and would be supporting local famers and markets nearby.
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