How Did We Get Here?
The Development of the “Modern” Food System
Session 5
Summary
What are the origins of today’s agricultural system? Learners map the geographic origins of common foods and evaluate how changes in food-related technologies impact their eating habits. Then, learners read short selections about historic points in agriculture and create a timeline of significant global “food events” such as Columbus' voyage, the introduction of synthetic fertilizers, and the “green” revolution.
Guiding Questions
- How did today’s food system develop?
- What are the key historical events?
- How are these historical events related?
- What is technology? How has it developed in relation to agriculture?
Big Ideas
- Technology related to food has changed over time, and this has impacted the overall food system.
- Key points in “food history” include the agricultural revolution, Columbus’ voyage, the Scientific Revolution, the “green revolution,” the development of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer and the “gene revolution.”
- Each of these developments created changes in how food was produced and consumed. Each development was also driven by specific assumptions about the meaning of “progress.”
Session 5 Materials:
- Facilitator Guide (PDF/4 pgs)
- Learner packet (PDF/17 pgs)
- PowerPoint slides (PPT)
