Alternative Spring Break

Where does our food come from? It’s a relatively simple question that defies a ready answer. As the journey from farm to table has become longer and more complex, we the consumers have become increasingly disconnected from the foods we eat. However, agricultural production, distribution, and consumption of food lie at the intersection of a range of social, political, and environmental issues from energy and water use to nutrition and hunger.  In order to make conscientious choices as consumers, we need to have a more complete understanding of the origins of food and the impacts of our food choices. The purpose of this ASB is to connect the disparate dots affecting rational and effective production and distribution of food. The complexities of maintaining safe and reliable food resources require balanced environmental, labor, and trade policies. The directed readings and week-long trip will address the broad array of forces that influence our food system and promote critical inquiry into one’s own eating habits. Our trip will familiarize participants with their local “foodshed” through visits to local farms, farmer’s markets, restaurants and non-profit organizations in the Bay Area. Participants will have the opportunity to “get their hands dirty” by spending an afternoon working on a farm. By learning how to grow, harvest, and prepare fresh produce, we will gain not only a deeper understanding of where food comes from but also awareness of the ethical and environmental implications of our food choices.