Mrs. Mary Shannon English 113 B Spring 2014 Essay 1 Project

Mrs Mary Shannonenglish 113bspring 2014essay 1 Project Spacedue Date

Mrs. Mary Shannon English 113B Spring 2014 Essay #1 Project Space DUE DATES : Wednesday February 12 Space Report (oral) Wednesday February 19 Draft Workshop Wednesday February 26 Final Essay #1 Purpose: To gather primary source information To consider and communicate an understanding of how space affects our understanding of the world To consider and communicate the socioeconomics and politics of space Background: This project asks that you visit two spaces where food is grown, processed, prepared, sold, served, or consumed. What sorts of tools, artwork, displays, colors, advertisements, smells, sounds, and utensils are used in this space? How familiar are you with this space? How strange does some of it seem? Considering our readings and discussions, how do you perceive other’s attitudes towards the food you encounter? Writing Task: Compose an essay about your primary experience with two spaces used for growing, processing, preparing, selling, serving, or consuming food. Use description effectively. Compare how these spaces are alike, and contrast how they are different. Make sure you have a purpose to your writing Ask yourself: Why is the experience of these spaces significant? What details are necessary in order for me to record the experiences in an interesting and engaging way? How can my experiences be most effectively organized? What do I want to communicate to my audience about this experience? The essay should be four pages, which is approximately 1000 words. The paper must be typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman font, one-inch margins, 12 point type. Name, class, and date in top left hand side, double-spaced. Insert your last name in the header, right justified, along with the page number. Read it carefully for typos and misspellings. NO LATE DRAFTS OR PAPERS!

Paper For Above instruction

The exploration of food-related spaces offers unique insights into societal values, cultural practices, and economic dynamics. In this essay, I will contrast two distinct environments associated with food—one being a local farmers' market and the other a mainstream supermarket—to analyze how spatial characteristics influence perceptions of food, community interaction, and underlying socioeconomic implications.

My primary experience at the farmers' market revealed a vibrant, community-oriented space filled with fresh produce, artisanal products, and a palpable sense of tradition. The tools and displays—wooden crates, handmade signs, colorful banners—create an inviting atmosphere that emphasizes freshness and authenticity. The smells of ripe fruit, baked goods, and herbs fill the air, accompanied by sounds of lively conversations and the clatter of baskets, reinforcing the market's organic ambiance. The farmers' market fosters a sense of trust and supports local economies, reflecting values of sustainability and community resilience.

Contrasting this, my experience within the supermarket environment was characterized by a sterile, commercialized setting designed for efficiency and volume. The aisles are lined with brightly lit shelves packed with packaged foods, advertisements, and promotional signs. The tools—industrial scales, barcode scanners, display cases—serve functional purposes, but lack the warmth and personal touch of the market. The smells are predominantly chemical or artificially enhanced to appeal to consumer appetites, and the sounds consist of background music and the rustling of plastic packaging. This space reflects a broader socioeconomic system driven by mass production, consumerism, and profit motives, often obscuring the origins of the food and detaching consumers from the sources of their sustenance.

The significance of these two spaces extends beyond their physical attributes; they embody contrasting attitudes towards food and community. The farmers' market underscores a relationship rooted in localism, transparency, and sustainability, emphasizing the importance of knowing the origin of one's food and supporting small-scale producers. The supermarket, however, exemplifies the globalized food economy, where choices are driven by convenience, price, and branding rather than connection to the source. Perceptions of food in these spaces are shaped by the sensory experiences and the social interactions each environment fosters. The market's organic sounds and authentic smells foster trust and engagement, while the supermarket’s sterile environment can diminish the emotional and cultural connection to food.

From a socioeconomic perspective, these spaces reveal underlying inequalities and cultural values. The farmers' market often acts as a space for small farmers and entrepreneurs, promoting local economic development and environmental sustainability. Conversely, supermarkets are part of a vast corporate infrastructure that influences food production and distribution, often prioritizing profit over ecological and social considerations. The accessibility and pricing of food in these spaces also reflect socioeconomic disparities, with farmers' markets tending to be less accessible to lower-income communities, raising questions about food justice and equity.

Analyzing these environments through the lens of space theory demonstrates how physical attributes shape perceptions, social interactions, and cultural values surrounding food. The sensory richness of the farmers' market appeals to the desire for authenticity and a sense of community, aligning with ecological principles and local economies. The supermarket's designed efficiency prioritizes convenience and mass consumption, often at the expense of local identity and environmental sustainability. These spatial differences influence not only individual experiences but also broader societal narratives about food, health, and sustainability.

In sum, the two spaces I visited—each integral to the food system—highlight how physical, sensory, and social aspects influence our understanding of food and its meanings. Recognizing these spatial dynamics encourages critical reflection on the socioeconomic and political forces shaping our food environments. Engaging authentically with these spaces enhances awareness of the cultural and economic significance embedded in everyday food practices, fostering a more informed and conscientious approach to consumption.

References

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• Greco, S. (2009). The agrifood system and rural development: Linking food security, environmental sustainability, and social justice. Agriculture and Human Values, 26(1), 29–41.
• Kaufman, J., & Lewis, T. (2014). Food justice and food sovereignty: advancing the discourse. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 4(4), 57–73.
• McClintock, N. (2014). From industrial garden to food justice: Environmental alleviation and political activism in low-income communities of color. The Journal of Peasant Studies, 41(5), 791–813.
• Pothukuchi, K., & Kaufman, J. L. (1999). Plugging into the local food system. American Journal of Public Health, 89(1), 105–108.
• Sobal, J., & Maurer, D. (2014). Interactions of food insecurity and obesity: Implications for social policy. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 38(2), 85–89.
• Winson, A. (2014). Food Regimes and Food Sovereignty. Journal of Rural Studies, 36, 382–390.
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• DeLind, L. B. (2011). Are Farmers' Markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) ‘Real Food’? Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 1(4), 1–17.
• Allison, E. H., & Hite, S. (2014). Building just food systems: Participation, social justice, and the politics of food. Routledge.