Food, Self, and Society

Hey guys.  I know it’s been a while since I’ve updated this, but I apologize for that – I was in Montana for a week presenting at a conference.  Anyway, while I was there, I saw several presentations and posters about various food elements, and topics related to food.  I was very interested in these, so I went to see them.  I won’t really talk about specifics, because in all honesty I don’t think they are completely relevant (at least, not here).  However, it made me wonder – why am I so interested in this topic?  Why am I seeing it all over the place all of a sudden?  The answer to the first one most certainly has to do with this class – my interest was formed due to the class.  But what about the second one?  Have these topics interested people for years (I know they have) and I’m just noticing them now (which I am)?  Or, has the movement really exploded in the last few years?  I realize I’m not being very clear about this and what I mean here, so allow me to explain.  There was a great deal of “locavore” mentality to be found in the Missoula, Montana area.  The mall (tiny in comparison to some of the ones we have around here in the NYC metro area) had a store that focused almost entirely on locally grown food.  And, one of the best steaks I’ve ever had, I had there, and noticed that on the menu they made a big deal of noting that the cow or steer or whatever it is had been grass-fed somewhere within the state of Montana.  It was wonderful, and after reading Singer, I can at least feel good about eating THAT particular steak.

Here’s looking to the future.  Until then, my friends, I bid you adieu.

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PS – I accidentally tagged this as “uncategorized” as opposed to putting it in my “food” category, so it didn’t get forwarded to the class food blog at the time I wrote it.  My mistake.  Sorry!

PPS – Next time, I’ll write about airplane food.