GSSC 1183 – Food and the City

ASSIGNMENT 3 – FOOD PHILOSOPHY
For your final assignment, you are required to write a ‘food philosophy’.

A philosophy is a set of rules you use to guide your life. For this assignment, you are asked to
express how you view food, food choices, food behaviour, relationship with food, etc. — what
guides you in your dietary choices.

Here are a set of questions to think about as you write your food philosophy:

1. What is your relationship with food? What is important to you about your food?

2. What is important to you in a meal?

3. How do you choose what to eat?

4. What is your relationship with food in your family? What is your role regarding eating in
your family?

5. What is your relationship with food in your community? What is your involvement (food
banks, community groups, business, government agencies)?

6. What is your relationship with food beyond your community? How does your eating
affect others?

You do not have to answer all the questions; the questions above are simply a guide.

Consider the following, the majority of which we discussed in class:

– Food systems (global and local)
– Nutrition
– Advertising / Marketing / Packaging
– Food workers
– Food choices and the impact of food choices
– Food movements and diets

Consider this food philosophy as your ‘food rules’.

You are required to support your ideas with research. Include minimum three different
citations/references with this paper. For example, if you prefer to shop at local, smaller family-
owned food stores, rather than larger chain food stores, explain why using research. Perhaps you
have found statistics that claim that smaller, family-owned stores pay their employees more and
this is important to you. Remember to cite your sources properly in a recognized citation style
such as APA or MLA.

Length: 600 words minimum

Value: 20% of final grade

Deadline: Sunday, March 29, 2019, midnight

Please upload your assignment in Blackboard  Assignments  Assignment 3–Food Philosophy

GSSC 1183 – Food and the City

EVALUATION FORM

CRITERIA 0 1 2 3 4 5
Analysis of points
(10)

Analysis is
missing.

X 2

Analysis exists, but

– is not always logical
or clear

– is superficial
– is not connected to

the course topics
– displays little

understanding of
course content.

X2

Analysis

– is somewhat logical and
clear

– is somewhat on topic
– is superficial in part
– is sometimes connected

to course content
– displays minimal

understanding of course
content

x2

Analysis

– is logical and clear
– is on topic
– displays reasonable

understanding of
course content

– satisfactorily presents
and explores relevant
course content and
assumptions

– .
x2

Analysis

– is logical and clear
– examines points

beyond the
requirements of the
assignment

– integrates and
synthesizes course
content with
philosophy.

X2
Analysis

– integrates and
synthesizes
philosophy and
course content

– examines points
expertly and beyond
the scope of the
assignment

– analyzes the issue
with a clear sense of
scope and context.

X2

Comprehensiveness
of philosophy (5)

Does not address
views about food
or guiding food
principles.

Addresses views about
food and guiding
principles but is vague
and/or not connected
to points.

Logically addresses and
develops views about food
and food principles, but not
always convincing and/or
does not appear to be
‘philosophy’.

Satisfactory addresses
views about food and
food principles with
convincing arguments to
form a ‘philosophy’

Examines the majority of
course themes to create
a comprehensive
philosophy.

Demonstrates attitude
and views about food
and food principles to
create a sound and
comprehensive
philosophy, supported
by seamlessly
integrating course
content

CRITERIA 0 1 2 3

Referencing and
Citation (3)

No in-text
references or
bibliography
included.

In-text citations or
bibliography missing.

Citation is not
formatted correctly.

In-text citations and
bibliography included.

Citation contains some
format errors.

In-text citations and
bibliography included and
formatted correctly.

Accuracy (2) Writing contains
numerous major
errors – ideas not
clear.

Writing contains major
errors and these errors
sometimes affect
meaning in parts of the
paper.

Writing contains few or no
errors. Meaning is mostly
clear or clear.

Total /20

GSSC 1183 – Food & the City

My Food Philosophy

Food, at its base, is a nutritional substance to provide our bodies with energy (Oxford American
Dictionary, 2018). In reality, it is so much more than that. From food differing between cultures,
food as a means to socialization, and even food to cope with emotional trauma, it is
everywhere, and it is something that we all need. Over time, based on different life experiences
and personal taste preferences, everyone develops their own food philosophy. My food
philosophy is to support local food businesses, to eat tasty foods and try new things, and to
enjoy food as a group and make it a social event.

As far as my own personal relationship with food, it has changed and developed over the years.
From poor eating habits in high school due to low self-esteem to now where I can eat (mostly)
guilt free. Working in bakeries and kitchens has taught me how to be positive about trying new
foods and makes me feel empowered by successfully creating new dishes. I love being
surrounded by like-minded individuals who are just as passionate about food as I am, and
people with whom I can bounce new ideas off of. For me, the most important thing about food
is its social aspect. Recently, I met with a friend and we made homemade mozzarella for the
first time and put it on homemade pizzas. We spent hours talking, laughing, and sharing stories
over pizza. Not only did it fill my belly, but it also filled my soul.

In terms of what makes a good meal, I think that spreading the meal out over time is important.
This goes along with the social aspect of eating. By taking your time with a meal, having
different courses and truly tasting each individual bite and component of the food you are
eating is such a rewarding experience. A study done by Dunbar (2017) discovered that people
“who eat socially more often feel happier and are more satisfied with life, are more trusting of
others, are more engaged with their local communities, and have more friends they can depend
on for support.” I have to agree with this statement based on my personal experience. I often
meet with friends for dinner, whether we go to a restaurant or make food at one of our houses,
it is always an enjoyable experience to gather and share food.

A local farm on Amherst Island strongly believes in these rewarding experiences developed
through socialization through food. Topsy Farms recently organized a Foragers Retreat and
Dinner where participants were taught how to forage in the nearby forest for their communal
dinner which was then prepare by a Red Seal trained chef (Topsy Farms, 2018). Based on what I
have seen on social media, the event seemed to be a big hit amongst participants. This kind of
dinner where you gather your own food, prepare it only hours later, and eat it as a group is
something so basic and yet romantic. Nowadays, people are constantly on the go or
preoccupied with social media to turn their attention to slowing down with their food.

This way of thinking can also be related to the Slow Food Movement which originated in Italy.
The organization relies on three pillars to keep clear objectives: good, clean, and fair food. Slow
Food followers believe that everyone deserves food that tastes good, that the food people is

GSSC 1183 – Food & the City

produced in a way that does not harm the environment, and that food producers should
receive fair compensation for their work. Slow Food has been promoted as an alternative to
fast food. (Slow Food, 2018) I appreciate the Slow Food Movement and learning more about it
has allowed me to view my food and where it comes from in a simpler way. This movement has
made me want to be conscious of my food waste, to use ingredients to their fullest capabilities,
and to make delicious homemade meals to share.

Although I certainly enjoy healthy and homemade foods, I also frequently enjoy junk food. I
choose what to eat based on my mood. I eat through my eyes, and if I’m grocery shopping and
see a piece of meat, vegetable, fruit, or cheese on sale, I will buy it because I know I can figure
out something to make using it. If something catches my eye in the store and looks tasty (and is
not too expensive), it is likely that I will buy it. Another way in how I choose what I eat is the
price point. I want food that I like eating, but I do not want to be spending too much as I am on
a student budget. This can be difficult sometimes, but I do tend to splurge and treat myself if
the moment is right.

My relationship with food in my family is positive as we all love to eat and try new things. My
parents have always encouraged me to have a varied palete by introucing me to different
ethnic foods. Even if I did not like them as a child, I likely enjoy eating them now and certainly
appreciate their efforts. My parents also always encouraged eating together at the table for
dinner every night. This is something that I wish I did more of when living alone (rather than
sitting in front of the TV watching Netflix), but it is a tradition I will continue to enforce when I
have children of my own. A study done at Michigan State University by Earnesty & Kurecka
(2016) describes a number of reasons why eating together as a family is beneficial such as
building closer relationships, improving cooking skills, stability, and saving money to name a
few. In the past few years, I’ve started cooking for my parents more and more. Cooking is
something that I enjoy doing and I know how exhausted my parents are when they come home
from work and that having a meal checked off their to-do list is very welcomed.

As far as local communities go, I like supporting locally owned restaurants. I would much rather
go to some of my favourite small restaurants than a Kelsey’s or Montana’s. I appreciate
restaurants that support other local producers and businesses. According to Nation’s
Restaurant News, “both traffic and revenue growth among independent restaurants is
outperforming chains” (Jennings, 2017). I also managed a seasonal restaurant on Amherst
Island where I had the opportunity to connect with so many Islanders through food. The
restaurant, The Back Kitchen, is the only restaurant on the island of 400 residents. It is a
community café where Island groups are able to meet and purchase coffee or food. Developing
a better relationship with my community by means of food was gratifying to me, and I hope to
work there again.

My relationship with food beyond my community is not something I think of, but of course my
eating and buying habits affect a plethora of people. At the grocery store, I usually purchase
whatever is cheapest or on sale, although I do try to pay attention to the country of origin and
favour Canadian products over the USA or China.

GSSC 1183 – Food & the City

In general my food philosophy is to support local foods businesses, to eat tasty foods
(preferrably homemade), and to enjoy food as a group and make it a social event. The
culmulative experiences that I have gathered throughout my life have led me to this food
philosophy. My parents, my friends and classmates, my class status, and my university
experience where I learned more about slow food have all combined to shape this food
philosophy.

GSSC 1183 – Food & the City

Bibliography

Dunbar, R. I. (2017). Breaking Bread: the Functions of Social Eating. Adaptive Human Behavior
and Physiology, 198–211.

Earnesty, D., & Kurecka, S. (2016). The importance of mealtime. Retrieved from Michigan State
University Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/the_importance_of_mealtime

Jennings, L. (2017). Report: Consumers prefer independent restaurants over chains. Retrieved
from Nation’s Restaurant News: https://www.nrn.com/consumer-trends/report-
consumers-prefer-independent-restaurants-over-chains

Oxford American Dictionary. (2018). Oxford American Dictionary.
Slow Food. (2018). Slow Food. Retrieved from Slow Food: https://www.slowfood.com/
Topsy Farms. (2018). Events. Retrieved from Topsy Farms: https://topsyfarms.com/foragers-

retreat-and-dinner