Last exercise

Food Presentation Exercise

Each of you will be responsible for presenting a food item.  For your food item, you need to figure out what the political and international issues are regarding these foods.  This exercise is for 20 points.  YFailure to present on the day you are assigned will result in an exercise grade of zero--there are no make-ups, so don't even ask.

You will have 6 minutes to present your food item as thoroughly and succinctly as possible.  If you work with another person, you have 12 minutes.  You are encouraged to use visuals and have samples (preferably something different most people haven't tried) for your food item.  Your main objective is to demonstrate how your food item has political implications, i.e., how this food relates to the international political issues we've discussed throughout the course.

For your food item, give the basics for each.

·       To what part of the world is it indigenous?  How did it become know in other parts of the world?

·         What is the history of the food item?  Was it traded, moved with migrating people, affected by colonization and/or slavery?

·         Is it versatile in its uses?

·         Why is this food item of importance?  Is it more commonly used in particular parts of the world, and if so, why?

·         What significant food derivatives are there of your item?  That is, are there by-products of the plant or processing of the food that are useful?

Consider the following questions and cover at least three areas and the issues related to them.

·         Is there any specific political history associated with this food item? 

·         Are there any particular trade issues associated with this food item?

·         Are there any health claims and/or concerns associated with this food item that have political implications?

·         Are there any environment issues associated with this food item?

·         In what ways is/has this food item been affected by globalization and international relations?

You must choose from the following list of food items.  The first eight listed will be presented on 12/8; the next eight will be presented on 12/10; the remaining will be presented on 12/15 during final exam time (1-3).

  1. Sugar    Brittany

  2. Olives    Terry & Dawn

  3. Tea    Jeremy

  4. Peanuts    BL

  5. Plantains    Julia

  6. Grapes    Danielle

    7.

  7. Dates (also called date palms)    Azra
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    8.

  8. Milk/Cheese    Kelsey

  9. Rice     Elizabeth

  10. Wine

    11.     Chastity

  11. Potatoes    Eric

  12. Coffee    Will & Tamra

  13. Beef    Josh & Jared
    ------------------------------------------

    14.

  14. Cinnamon    Amanda

  15. Beer    Steven W.

  16. Vanilla    Jeff

  17. Tuna    McKenzie & Samantha

  18. Pizza    Mike

  19. Chocolate    Shaina

  20. Pork    Derek

  21. Coconuts    Matt Dusing & Andrew

    22.

  22. Jicama    Emily & Melissa

  23. Soybeans    Liz 

  24. Chicken     Matt L.

  25. Bread (includes tortillas, naan, pita, etc)

    26.      Steven J.

  26. Seaweed     Matt Disher