Photo Essay - Feb. 17, 2019
Using the camera as a research tool - allowing observations and stories of the people to unfold in a visually provoking narrative
It's more than just food.
Food is an integral part of any society. It's a huge part of culture and traditions; it brings people together and sparks passion and delight. Food allows us to survive, and good food gives us life.
I wanted to explore the factors that influence what, when, and how we eat and drink. Over the course of a weekend I participated in and observed one family's annual sausage making tradition to help answer my questions of what food is all about.
Research Questions
What are the factors that influence:
What we eat?
When we eat?
How we eat?
Family and friends gather on a ranch for their annual sausage making weekend. Over the course of two days, 200 lbs of meat is made into sausage patties and links. “Every year I tell myself that this is the last year we’re doing this…It’s a lot of work, but it’s only once a year, so here we are. I’d miss not seeing everyone. It’s a tradition.” - Rob (right)
“Until next year” -#76
Key Takeaways
After talking to and observing this family, I found that the factors that influence what, when and how we eat and drink are:
Personal Preference: People’s flavor palates and values impact what they eat. As preferences change, so do people's diets.
Nutritional Knowledge: Nutritional factors and dietary restrictions are common reasons for why people choose to eat certain foods.
Convenience & Cost: People eat what is easily accessible, but sometimes for certain occasions people go out of their way for meals that are harder to make or more expensive.
Family Preferences: When people are young, they eat the same food their family eats. As people grow up, they associate certain foods with good memories, and these traditions impact their own food preferences.
Cultural Influences: Food and tradition are often intertwined. People grow up celebrating with loved ones and eating their culture’s foods. New generations keep customs alive by continuing them with their own families.