Section outline

  • Food, Culture, and Diet –

    A Global Perspective

    Top 10 Best Country In The World For Food | Apna Shoq

    “Food for us comes from our relatives, whether they have wings or fins or roots.  That is how we consider food.  Food has a culture.  It has a history.  It has a story.  It has relationships.”  

                                                                                           – Winona Laduke

    Why study food and culture? 


    What can we learn about our culture and one another through the foods we eat? 

    Food cultures also represent the wisdom gained and shared through thousands of years of experimentation and observation. For example, the grains and beans found in many food traditions have been determined to provide the perfect combination of amino acids our bodies need. Although it may seem that kids today only eat pizza or hamburgers, your students are likely to represent a tremendous diversity of food traditions. Be sure to set the stage for an open and

    Food is much more than a tool for survival; it is also a source of pleasure, comfort, and security. And, while it nourishes our bodies, it can also nourish our families and our communities. Food is one of the most important and persistent aspects of tradition and culture. Throughout the world, food is used to celebrate holidays, rituals, and family gatherings. For special occasions—and even for daily meals—our culture often determines what, when, and how we eat. These traditions connect us to our history, our locale, and to one another accepting classroom environment so that students will feel comfortable talking about their family food traditions. 

    (Source: https://www.nourishlife.org/teach/curriculum/activity-3-food-traditions/).

    Success Criteria

    Students will become familiar with the relationship between food and their own cultural, religious, or national backgrounds. 

    Activities:

    1. Reading

    2. Research

    3. Presentation Skills











    EXPLORE / TŪHURA

    EXPLORE / TŪHURA learning intentions:

      • We are EXPLORING the broad topic of food and culture as an introduction.
      • We are EXPLORING the relationship between food, culture, and diet, and the national dishes that reflect the cultural heritage of students in class.
      • We are EXPLORING the history behind the cacao bean and how the Spanish Empire controlled the production of cacao beans (and hence, chocolate) around the world. We will also explore unhealthy aspects of sports drinks.
      • We are EXPLORING traditional Maori foods and traditions that are associated with them such as the best times to eat and to fast according to Maori tradition.