Sociology of Food and Eating

Sociology of Food and Eating

Issues

1.

At the campus gardens, there is a lot of activities ranging from designing farming spaces, promoting community gardens to actual planting of food products. In this context, the designing of farming spaces was initiated by students who wanted to construct an aesthetically pleasing garden. However, this development required partnership with other major stakeholders such as the Ryerson’s Early Learning Center and Vineland Research. The partnership was aimed at sourcing architectural building materials and information related to farm the roof program. The other activity is related to creating awareness of food diversification. This is done by planting eggplants, hot chili peppers and bottle gourds. The importance of diversified crops in a garden is for the beautification reasons. For example, the gardens from a beautiful urban environment. On the other hand, the activities in the garden are aimed at providing urban area with food security. People who visit the gardens are taught about beautifying the available spaces with food products such as kales, tomatoes, beans and lettuces.

2.

The problem of having a space for farming especially in the urban areas is critical. In this context, the edible gardens are an alternative to farm lands as activities are done on the roofs, back yards and in green houses. In addition, the problem of food security in the urban areas is addressed through edible gardens.Apparently, edible gardens are not expensive to set up or require large spaces.

3.

I would like to grow food products in edible gardens in the future. I believe that edible gardens are a source of healthy foods. In addition, the practice is not expensive and requires a small space in the backyard or on the roof. I would prefer engaging in community garden as a way of contributing towards food security for the society. In addition, I want to train and educate other community members on how to utilize available spaces to produce healthy foods without.

Comments

Response 1

There are many similarities of experiences from the first respondent. The student agrees with thefact that community gardens addresses issues of sustainable and healthy food options. In addition, there are similarities in observations of how community gardens promotes food sovereignty and safe environment. The fact that consumers get to acquire first-hand information about how food is produced is necessary for a sustainable food system. It is agreeable that gardening skills for communitymembers are essential for engaging in organic food production.Importantly, community gardens are a cheap way of producing food and can be done by any person. However, the student believes that community gardens cannot be done by low-income individuals. In the contrary, setting up community gardens does not require a large space, capital and labor.

Response 2

I hold similar thoughts that the mess in Rye’s gardens is because the space is yet to be prepared for farming. Of course, after harvesting the space is always messy before the next planting season. I agree that labelling of the planted area is a common practice once the season commences. However, the planted area becomes a beautiful scenery once the plants start growing. I concur with the idea of many gardens around Ryerson. Apparently, community gardens are designed to have different planting spaces with diverse food products. The similar ideology of a neighborhood network is critical in ensuring that community members are well educated and informed about the new food system. I have learnt that promotion of community gardens must be prioritized as a form of establishing a sustainable food system.