What Can You Afford?

            Poverty is obviously a prominent issue in the United States today especially among women and children.  Many individuals are barely making ends meet, and they are forced to live day by day off of emergency food.  In chapter two of Jane Poppendieck’s Sweet Charity, she explores the problems poor people experience in relation to food.  It is obvious that poor people lack the resources to provide themselves with a healthy diet that provides them with the correct vitamins and minerals.  Everything is so much more expensive today especially necessities such as rent and utility costs.  Those in poverty do not have the necessary $100 to spend every week on food.  The solution for many of these families becomes emergency food, such as the food provided in food kitchens or food banks.  Most of these families are dealing with such horrific poverty problems because of unemployment or underemployment problems.  Whether it is short-term or long-term unemployment, many individuals in these situations turn to food pantries for help.  They cannot waste the little money they have on food when they have to pay medical and rent bills.  Rent prices have skyrocketed over the past decades, and these new prices are forcing individuals in poverty to use more then their allotted 30% of their income to pay for their shelter.  For those individuals who are applicable for soup kitchens, public assistance is another major helper.  Although this helps provide some income, the amount is still not sufficient.  Another program founded called the Food Stamps program is another attempt to help out those families in poverty.  Although this program attempted to close the gap once again between what families in poverty could and could not afford, its effectiveness is low.  Many people who should not be denied are denied, and some people are to proud to accept defeat.        

            I am absolutely horrified by the amount of poverty in the United States.  Living at Cornell now, and a nice area and New Jersey before, I have not been exposed to the many individuals  living in poverty in the United States.  This article was extremely informative because although I have heard about the widespread issues of poverty, I never realized its extent.  Since I was in Middle School I have volunteered at a Food Bank in New Jersey.  I would work on weekends, and package and sort hundreds of cans of food.  I never understood how the huge amount of food that was donated could not satisfy the number of individuals living in poverty.  Poverty is obviously a huge issue that needs to be addressed.  Although there is many programs implemented, these programs obviously do not suffice.  Poverty and hunger are obviously directly related to each other, and our task for the future will be to decrease the poverty so individuals can receive the amount of nutrition their bodies need.              

WHY?

How can the government implement a new plan that will help individuals in poverty with shelter and food without making them feel “embarrassed”

Is there a more effective way we can run soup kitchens?

No More Time

            Our society is no longer the same.  We no longer look the same and we no longer eat the same.  The American family has completely transformed over time, and our eating habits have drastically changed.  In “McDonaldization of Society” by Patricia and Peter Adler they discuss the idea of rationalization of a society.  More specifically, they discuss these two concepts in relation to our eating habits.  Rather than eating in more frequently, families find eating out an easier way to dine.  Many families rarely have time to cook family meals.  When I say eating out, I don’t mean at expensive restaurants, but rather I mean at fast – food chains where they can eat in less than 20 minutes.  Efficiency has become one of the main goals of our food system, and the efficiency does not start with the delivery of the food to consumers, but it starts with the production of any food on the farm.  Generally anything that can be done faster is better.  Another aspect of the rationalization of society is the “predictability.”  Consumers like to know what they are getting before they even get there.  Our society has become more concerned with the quantity of the food rather than the quality of the food.  I can guarantee you that few individuals know where a McDonalds burger comes from.  Although these aspects of rationalization have overcome society, there are still individuals that have yet to conform.  Although this is true, the goal of our food system is to force everyone to conform.  Lastly, relating to the idea of conformity, control is a necessary constituent of a rationalized society.  Control over customers and employees are key in the success of the society.  The authors conclude with the possible negative effects, but these issues may not be solely because of the rationalization of society, but rather the type of rationalization. 

            I think the transformation our society is undergoing is horrible.  The fact that fast-food restaurants have become so easy and ubiquitous is absolutely atrocious.  Some individuals do not have the option to eat elsewhere.  They cannot afford to buy healthy food at the market or order a salad at a high-class restaurant.  I think these fast – food chained restaurants with cheap options, should be transformed into restaurants where even slightly healthier food is served and still efficiently.  The authors bring up interesting constituents of a rational society, and it is evident that these aspects are overwhelming our society today.  Aside from the McDonalds example, I could probably pick any fast-food chain and describe how the different aspects affect that specific food chain.  Our society is discouraging individualism, and attempting consumers to conform to the norm, and what has become popular and easy in society.  The fact that fast-food chains like McDonalds have so much control over society proves that consumers are continuing to have less and less control.  Although it is true we always have a choice, our choices are getting harder, and our options are getting more limited.    

WHY?

Is it possible to alter the rationalization of our society through the farmers?

Why do you think consumers are so prone to eating at fast-food restaurants even when they know the nutritional value is close to none?

Is There Such a Thing as Segregation with Food?

            Throughout the past few years, our food system has experienced drastic changes, and obesity and other food related issues have become increasingly larger problems.  Specifically in the article “Fried Chicken and Fresh Apples” by Kwate, he discusses food issues between different races.  It is evident that specific foods are not affordable to all individuals.  Especially the extremely healthy, organic foods are targeted towards middle upper classmen.  Specifically in this article, Kwate deals with the differentiation between African American societies and wealthy Caucasian societies.  In African American societies, foods such a fried chicken are more ubiquitous, and therefore easier to obtain.  Although fast food is obviously present in White Societies, for African American societies it is more convenient and practical, whereas white societies generally have many more options.  Segregation is still present in America, and currently fast food companies are targeting African American communities because the majority of them are living near each other, and an industry has to know their consumers.  The targeting of poor people generally turns into targeting specific races, and in this case specifically African Americans.  African Americans are even targeted to work at Fast Food chains, enforcing their location in African American communities.  These neighborhoods are often categorized as “ghettos,” also thought of as deteriorating neighborhoods.  Fast Food chains are more likely to overpopulate themselves in neighborhoods that are not as wealthy to ensure a large consumer population.  African American’s in general have very little political power, and have difficulty making their voice heard.  Obviously a major issue within our food system is the targeting of specific racial groups because the processed food industry, specifically fast food chains, is growing in neighborhoods where they know they can make a profit.   

            I think this is a very prevalent issue today.  If America’s food system wants to go through a transformation, wealthy white Americans cannot be the only class involved.  In my opinion a transformation has to include all of the people of America, especially those in the lower class and African American communities because they still to this day make up a large percentage of our population.  The fact that fast food companies target lower classmen and mainly African American communities, is a great advertising strategy, but terrible for the health of the African American community.  The issue lies with the idea of availability.  The fact that it is so easy for African American’s to find a piece of fried chicken over fresh grown vegetables increases the chances that they will choose the unhealthy food.  Although it is true that many African Americans cannot afford the healthy option, there are many African Americans that have to be given the option.  The overpopulation of fast food chains in specific communities needs to end, and healthier more affordable foods have to be substituted in African American and lower classmen’s diets.      

WHY?

Is it possible for the government to step in and make laws about the number of fast food restaurants in a given area?

Why are African Americans specifically targeted when there are so many other poor races?

Corn: The Hidden Cause of Obesity

            90 billion dollars.  10 percent increase in calorie increase.  Three out of every five Americans.  (Pollan 2008, p. 102).  All three of these items are characteristic of obesity.  Obesity is no longer an issue that can be fought sitting down, but rather it has become an epidemic that needs to be dealt with full force.  In Chapter 6 of the Omnivores Dilemma, Pollan discusses the causes behind obesity.  Pollan explains that the underlying problem of obesity goes back to the production of the food: the farms and more specifically the production of corn.  As individuals, including myself, we do not consider ourselves big corn eaters.  What we do not realize is that corn in some form is processed in almost all of the processed foods we get from our supermarkets today.  Farmers have discovered how to produce massive amounts of corn for extremely cheap prices.  It is easy to simply convert corn into alcohol or even fructose corn syrup.  Consumers have no idea how much processed corn they are consuming, and because portion sizes have increased thanks to David Wallerstein, consumers are eating larger amounts of the wrong types of foods and nutrients.  Humans enjoy foods with more sugar and more fats because they taste better.  With increased portion sizes and increased production of processed corns, it is inevitable that Americans have health issues.       

            The first step in understanding obesity, is acknowledging the greatness of the problem within the United States.  Obesity is no longer an issue that a very small percentage of the population, but rather obesity is an issue that nearly the majority of the population is forced to deal with.  I think the first step to helping this epidemic has to come from the government and the industries.  Without a significant change in our food system, Americans are not going to want to change.  Currently Americans are eating what they think is good food for completely reasonable prices.  Americans need to be educated because the foods they are eating with surpluses of corn, high fructose corn syrup and other products are increasing their chances of becoming obese.  Obesity cannot be taken lightly, and in this case I think increasing awareness is the first realistic goal.  Until the food system makes dramatic changes, the only things Americans can do themselves is become aware of what they are actually eating.  Although it has become so easy for farmers to take corn and make so many different processed products, there has to be a means to an end.  A way to prevent obesity, starting with the bottom of the food chain. 

WHY?

What would be the most effective way to start conquering the problems of obesity?

Is it possible to wean America off of mass production of corn to another product that might be healthier and slightly more expensive?

Is There Such a Thing as American Cuisine?

            It is evident that food plays a very important part in our lives in America as well as other individual’s lives in countries such as Japan, Italy, and China.  In the article “Eating America” by Sidney Mintz she discusses the importance of food in the United States in relation to our cuisine.  In the introduction of this article Mintz expresses the misconception that culture and cuisine are the same thing.  When Mintz introduced America as having no cuisine, many individuals were offended because they assumed culture and cuisine went hand in hand.  Mintz by no means meant to say that American’s had no culture, but solely that we have no specific cuisine.  Throughout the article he deals with the possibility of the creation of a new cuisine as well as the changes America has experienced over time.  A large part of the reason American cuisine is so diverse is because of the variety of descendents coming from outside of the United States such as Europe.  European cuisine varies significantly from American cuisine, but throughout the years, Europe’s cuisine continues to make itself more visible in the United States.  Rather than adopting their own cuisine, it is so common for individuals in the United States to eat a variety of cuisines.  Mintz discusses the important different between being socially and culturally alike in terms of food.  This is important because it proves that although we have very similar opinions on what American food is, culturally we are extremely diverse. Americans eat more Italian, Chinese, and even Greek food than Italians, Chinese, and Greek people eat of American food.  It is so easy to get any type of food in America because foods are no longer region-specific because of the decrease in price of transportation.  American’s have truly stopped caring about the types of food we eat, which is why Mintz believes that we do not and will not have a cuisine specific to America.     

            I found this article really interesting because I never thought of an American Cuisine.  Whenever I order take out or go out to dinner with my family we always go out with the purpose of having Italian, Japanese, Chinese or even Greek food.  Although I consider foods such as hot dogs, hamburgers, and even macaroni and cheese American, I agree with the statement that Americans truly don’t have a cuisine.  Americans tend to be more diverse regarding to food because food is such an important part of our lifestyle.  I don’t mean that American’s necessarily eat the most expensive foods or the most exquisite cuisines, but we definitely eat the most food.  American’s have developed their own type of cuisine that includes every other cuisine possible.  Although this obviously means that America does not have an original cuisine, in my opinion diversity in this sense is almost better.  I enjoy being able to have good Chinese and Italian food without having to travel all the way to China and Italy.  Lately our food system has become dependent on fast food and cheap unhealthy food, adding to the reason why it is almost impossible for America to have a unique cuisine.

WHY?

Does a cuisine have to be different or it is possible for a cuisine to be a mixture of other cuisines?

Do you think American cuisine is taking a turn for the worst?

To Eat or Not to Eat

           Our society has become overly dependent on meat throughout the past few centuries.  Meat used to be a delicacy, but now it is sold in supermarkets and restaurants for prices that are unimaginable.  The fact that it is possible to get a burger at McDonalds for $1 is absolutely ridiculous.  In Chapter 17 of Michael Pollan’s Omnivore’s Dilemma, he discusses the moral aspects of eating meat.  Is it morally acceptable to slaughter animals even if the animals are feeling absolutely no pain?  Today in our food system animals are slaughtered in two different ways: in farms like Polyface the animals generally feel no pain, but in industrialized farms animals generally feel the pain because they see their own death coming.  Pollan illustrates two different perspectives about the slaughtering of animals.  One perspective identifies the idea that animals are “machines incapable of thought or feeling”(306), and another perspective deals with the idea that killing animals in general is unethical.  The supporting details for the first perspective is that if animals have no language, they cannot talk, and therefore they cannot suffer.  If animals are not suffering, keeping them out of the wild is actually benefiting their species as whole although not necessarily each individual.  Although there are a significant amount of farm animals that cannot survive in the wild, there are many people that believe breeding animals just to kill them is inhumane.  Regardless of the process animals are killed, members of PETA, vegetarians, and animal activists in general believe animals have a right to live.  The question becomes whether killing animals provide more advantages to humans and even the species itself than disadvantages.        

            In my opinion, I do not think I would ever be able to become a vegetarian.  Our society has become so reliant on meat, including myself that I don’t think I would be able to stop eating meat completely.  Although I truly believe I could not stop eating meat, I think it is important to closer investigate the types of meat I eat.  Pollan clearly reiterates the fact that many people believe animals have no soul like philosophers such as Descartes, and therefore the act of slaughtering them is completely ethical.  Although I believe that animals have a soul, I think the process of slaughtering animals when they feel no pain is completely ethical.  In actuality humans are the main reason why many species are surviving today.  There are so many animals such as chickens that would have a very difficult time living out in a wild.  Although farmers end their death earlier than they would have liked, the fact that they are living in a safe environment keeps their species alive.  It is true that there is no clear right answer to this debate, but in my opinion as long as the animals are healthy and feeling little pain, the slaughter of animals to benefit not only humans, but also their species is completely acceptable.      

WHY?

Is it possible for the government to mandate how animals are killed in industrial farms?

If people were to see the slaughter process at industrial farms do you think that would affect their intake of meat?

150 Miles for a Supermarket

            The thought of driving 150 miles for a supermarket sounds outrageous.  Why should we drive more than a few if there is a Wegmans, Walgreens, or Kings nearby?  Quality over Price.  In Pollan’s 13^th Chapter in the Omnivore’s Dilemma, he deals with the importance of understanding what quality truly is.  Very few people are taking the time and effort to understand where their meat comes from, but those few people are willing to drive hours to provide their family with healthy safe meat.  They want to know what kinds of farmers are growing their kids food.  Individuals have stopped questioning where there meat comes from, and regardless of the quality they are considering all meat the same.  Meat and even produce used to have seasons, but with today’s technology supermarkets no longer have seasons.  Pollan reinforces this issue as one of the many issues with our food system today, and he provides some solutions for a gradual change within our reliance on the industrial food system.  Rather than always going to a supermarket for fresh food, Pollan suggests the idea of forming a relationship with the farmers in order to know directly where your food is coming from.  Aside from just relationships with the consumers, local farmers and restaurant owners are starting to form relationships.  Another idea was to pledge a certain amount of money to a specific farm, and then rather than going to your supermarket receiving weekly boxes of food.  Pollan underlines the fact that “you can buy honestly priced food or you can buy irresponsibly priced food.”  When we eat the mystery meat at McDonalds or buy the cheap steak off of Walmart’s shelves, how can we know what we are really eating?  The key to success to transform our industrial food system is truly connecting the consumers with the farmers.    

            After reading more and more responses, I am starting to believe that Pollan’s so-called “solutions” are not so realistic anymore.  Although we would all like individuals to pay more attention to where there food is coming from, very few Americans are willing to put in more energy and time into the food they eat.  Just like Pollan said, today Americans spend more time picking a plumber than they do choosing the food they eat.  I would like to think that American’s care about what they put into their body, but although our society has become more health-conscious, we still lack the ability to differentiate the meats and produce on the shelves of the supermarket.  I wish I could say this didn’t apply to me, but I most certainly don’t have the time or the money as a college student to shop at the local farmers market or form relationships with the local farmers.  I think this is where the government should come in, to create policies creating relationships between the locals and their farmers.  It is unrealistic to believe we will drive 150 miles for a supermarket, but it is realistic to believe over time farmers can create new systems to attract new customers, improving the quality of the food we eat every day.      

WHY?

What kind of policies can the government create to improve the relationships between the consumer and their local farmers?

Is it possible to start having two barcodes on the meats in chain supermarkets so that consumers can understand where their food is coming from?