Conference looks at global food complex issues

BOWLING GREEN, O.—The environmental, political, ethical and cultural implications of contemporary food production and distribution are the subject of “Fast Food World: Food and Globalization in the 21st Century,” a conference April 11 at Bowling Green State University.

The conference will be held in 308 Bowen-Thompson Student Union. All sessions are free and open to the public. No registration is required except for the luncheon preceding the first session.

The program begins at 1:30 p.m. with a general introduction to the topic by Dr. Kenneth Kiple, BGSU Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of history and author of “The Cambridge World History of Food.”  

“Exotic Restaurants and Expatriate Home-Cooking : Indian Food in Manhattan ” will be the topic of Dr. Krishnendu Ray, an assistant professor of nutrition and food studies at New York University and author of “The Migrant's Table.” He will speak from 1:45-2:15 p.m.

Dr. Deborah Barndt, a professor and chair of the environmental studies department at York University and author of “Tangled Routes: Women, Work, and Globalization on the Tomato Trail,” will discuss “Seeds of Hope: Stories from the Tangled Routes of the NAFTA Tomato” from 2:30-3:15 p.m.

Sociologist Dr. Howard Sacks, director of the Rural Life Center at Kenyon College, will explore “Why Aren't There Any Turkeys at the Danville Turkey Festival?” from 3:30-4:15 p.m.

The final session of the conference, from 4:15-5:30 p.m., will feature a panel of representatives from local organizations who will discuss ways to get involved in issues of food and globalization in the community. Audience participation will be welcomed throughout.   

The noon lunch in 201 Union will feature local foods and a short talk on the cultural roots of local cuisine given by Christine Haar, coordinator of the Dietetics Internship Program at BGSU. The cost of the lunch is $10 for students and $12 for others, payable at the door.   Space is limited and advance reservations are required. Contact John Milliken at 419-372-2536 or millikjr+f@gmail.com to reserve a place at the lunch or for further details.    

The conference is presented with support from BGSU's Social Philosophy and Policy Center, the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Family and Consumer Sciences, the BG Experience program, and the departments of history and American culture studies, in cooperation with the International Studies Program.  

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(Posted April 03, 2008 )