True Cost of Food and Affordable Good Eating
Note: This is a writing intensive (WI) assignment.
Learning Objectives
To investigate, analyze and present information about industrial food systems and more sustainable alternatives.
Directions: View the following videos, explore the listed web resources, and then respond to the questions below. Use as much space as you need.
· The Meatrix(Links to an external site.)http://www.themeatrix.com/(Links to an external site.)- Watch all three videos: Relaunched, II and II 1/2.
· True Cost of Food(Links to an external site.)https://vimeo.com/ XXXXXXXXXX:53)
· Food Inc(Links to an external site.). trailer (2:40)(Links to an external site.)
Your responses should refer to and incorporate information, terminology and concepts from assigned readings and videos.
As always, use your own words, proofread and edit your work carefully.
Writing counts!
Format and How toSubmit
You must include the text of the numbered questions with their text.
Always usein-text and include a works cited section at the end.
Questions
1. a) Describe how the typical American farm is portrayed in the videos.
b) How do those portrayals of farms compare with the images you have of farms? (They certainly do not seem like the Old MacDonald’s farm portrayed in the children’s song!)
2. Compare and contrast traditional, small family farms to industrial or factory farms.
a) What geographic, economic and other factors have driven the changes in agriculture from mostly small farms to larger, industrialized production?
b) What are advantages and disadvantages of small family farms?of industrialized agriculture?
3. The Meatrix video focuses on four external costs (externalities) associated with modern large-scale production of meat, milk and eggs. These externalities include:animal cruelty,antibiotic resistance,pollutionanddestroyed rural communities.
Briefly describe and give at least one example of each of those externalities.
Animal cruelty:
Antibiotic resistance:
Pollution:
Destroyed rural communities:
4. a. What is meant by thetrue costof food?
b. Explain why the foods in the “True Cost” aisle cost so much.
5.Describe more sustainable, culturally-appropriate alternatives to the industrialized food system.
6.Read about two or more of the food-related initiatives in Philadelphia described onthis webpage.(Links to an external site.)
a. List which initiatives you chose to explore (at least two).
b. For both, describe in your own words what they do.
c. Would they work for you and those you know? Do you recommend them? Why, or why not?
7.Imagine that you have just been hired asAmerica’s Food Chief, charged with the task of improving residents’ nutrition and access to affordable, healthful food choices. Using references from your readings and the videos, write a 250 to 400 word position paper, including:
a) A description of the problems with the current American diet and reasons for changing it.
b) Your plan for improving Americans' nutrition and access to affordable, healthful food choices, including the policy measures you would take to accomplish those goals.
c) Discuss how geographic factors (regarding access to local, seasonal foods, dietary preferences, cultural factors, transportation infrastructure, food deserts, etc.) are taken into account in your plan.
Be sure to cite references properly, using in-text citation format with a works cited section at the end.