Symbolism, ritual, and culture in shaping American food systems
(Book - Regular Print)

Thesis,MSFS,Green Mountain College,2016

Includes bibliographical references.

The development of this project stems from a seemingly insignificant consideration, or in some cases, outright absence, of cultures influence within the broad conversation about efforts to shape food systems. Sustainable food systems are affected by psychology, sociology, and ethnography thus making this factor critical. Food systems are impacted, in both historical and modern terms, and from bio-cultural and cross-cultural perspectives these socio-cultural topics are crucial. The symbolic and ritualistic importance (as characteristics of culture) to the manner in which various cultures produce, prepare and consume food is a much a part of a particular system as the food itself. This project will study the historical development of America's food system(s) with careful consideration to cultural nuances within those systems. Furthermore, it will address how those factors impact what have become increasingly homogenized food systems and provide a critical assessment of how culture might be leveraged to benefit progression toward more sustainable food systems.