FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH STANDPOINT
There are many issues we might consider on the topic of Food.
Some of these include:
availability of it (to whom and under what access restrictions);
quality of it (different grades for different populations and/or places?);
cleanliness issues (sanitation, preparation, processing, delivery, storage);
the waste associated with it (sample sizes, expiration dates, recycling, discarding of it);
packaging of it (here and abroad);
nutritional value (is it “good for you”, and based on what?);
targeted marketing (to population segments such as children, mothers, fitness fanatics);
cost (real or subsidized, reasonable or ?);
stability of supplies (planned production, reserves and distribution, …);
sustainability of certain products (meat vs vegetables, energy-intensive farming practices, …);
food deserts (what is available, to whom, and why);
organics (are they “worth” it? What does it even mean, why is it important (if it is)?);
regulatory oversight (who oversees this? Is there consistency, overlap, confusion?)
…just to name a few.
Please select one of these to report on in class. Explain why you think it’s critical that we ”get this right”, from an environmental and public health standpoint; make a logical and effective case for your position.
Summarize your views in a few written pages, and come to class prepared to discuss your views (…and convince your classmates of your point of view).
