Food and identity: Food studies, cultural, and personal identity

This study was inspired by the author’s academic travel to Naples, Italy to study the food habits of those who live in that region and follow the Mediterranean Diet. The author introduces the concept of food studies and explores the relationship of food to the human experience. Food studies is not the study of food itself; it is an emerging interdisciplinary field of study that observes the intricate relationships among food, culture, and society from a number of disciplines in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Through food studies, one examines the relationships people have with food, and analyzes how this association discloses an enormous amount of information about them. The food choices made by people, either as individuals or as a group, can reveal views, passions, background knowledge, assumptions and personalities. Food choices tell stories of families, migrations, assimilation, resistance, changes over times, and personal as well as group identity. Food studies challenges researchers to delve into the common daily occurrence of eating and find deeper meaning in this every day practice. By examining the what where, how, and why of our food choices and food habits, we develop a better understanding of ourselves and others. Applying a food studies mind set allows researchers across disciplines to debunk food related stereotypes and promotes acceptance across individuals and groups. The author also explores the relationship of this field of study to standards espoused by the National Council of the Social Studies to determine where and how food studies fits into the school curriculum.