Reword assignment Chapter 4

Chapter 4 reword

Discussion Questions

1. Many believe that truly addressing inequities in the food system requires going beyond food to address inequities in society. Yet, those social inequities are difficult to change for many reasons. Where would you focus your energy?

Answer: I will focus my energy more on food equities because the nature of the food system- from agricultural production through retailing and consumption to trade contributes to food insecurity and inequities in diet-related health. The food system is also a major contributor to climate change and is increasingly affected by it, thus resulting in reduced quantity and affordability of food in many countries. This contribution is predicted to increase and to cause disproportionate harm too vulnerable populations.

2. The authors note that in some cases their discussion of how our food system affects inequalities is speculative (particularly due to a lack of evidence on pathways from broad national and international food systems forces to health inequalities). Do you agree? Why and why not?

Answer: I agree with the speculations because from the text, its been shown how food system and its components are key loci and contributors to explaining health disparities. The products and externalized costs of our food production system are inequitably distributed throughout society, as a result of supply, demand, and other social and economic factors. The determinants of disparities are like a prism, refracting the elements of our food system and making them differentially available, accessible, and even preferred by various sectors of society. The UN has defined food security as a situation whereby “all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.”

3. Julie Guthman’s piece, “Foodies on a Mission,” is provocative. What you think of her view of a civilizing mission in the alternative-food movement?

Answer: I think her mission is to a positive one that would change people’s way and manner of eating, educating them on how to eat healthy and not just to consume junks thinking they’re eating food. And this is common amongst the colored people who just eat all they find at the grocery stores not even bothered about how the food comes about, its nutritional value, or even the mode of preservation, as long as it is present in the neighborhood store, it is believed to be good food, so the ‘civilizing mission on the alternative food movement would open their eyes to what food is and not the junks they are used to, and as it is called a mission it should be something that should be worthy of emulation and not imposed on the people.

4. Patricia Allen writes, “Although local food movements cannot be held responsible for rectifying injustices of the past, neither is it clear how physical geography is a defensible arbiter for boundaries of caring, action, or understanding.” Do you think we should have some special responsibility to those who are more local to us?

Answer: yes, I think we should have some special responsibility to those who are more local to us because if there are people assigned with special responsibilities, local food movements would be controlled, and locals would also be responsible for feeding themselves in a way to make it go round the community.

5. The chapter authors write that it is possible that over the middle and longer term, food system environmental threats might contribute to making the healthy and sustainable choice the affordable choice. Do you agree or disagree?

Answer: I totally agree with the author, it is possible that over the middle and longer term, food system environmental threats might contribute to making the healthy and sustainable choice the affordable choice.