Acquired Tastes

Abstract

Food and architecture are forever bound together when it comes to man’s survival. Today the connection is complicated by culture, industry, standardization, power, and monetary gain; but the connection between food and architecture remains strong. The production, storage, transportation, distribution, serving, and eating of food has forever shaped cities. The architecture and cuisine of the city shape culture and gives them their identity. It is impossible to separate these two major forces in our lives as they continue to adapt to, and create the society we live in today. Today, Americans no longer prize food for its natural healing and nourishing qualities. Instead monocultures run ramped and the food industry has been over taken by big business. We live in a world where convenience trumps quality and where most people don’t know how to make a good meal for themselves. Americans consider cooking a chore and don’t realize how rewarding it is to craft a meal from scratch to share with others. The cooking and dining experience is becoming a lost art of sorts. Therefore it becomes important for the future of America for young Americans to learn these basic life skills so that they can care about our the food they eat, and become aware of the problems in our food system today.

It is important for Americans to reassess the worlds food system, and not simply accept the fait we have been given. Food related diseases are on the rise, and it is no wonder when cheap, high calories, nutrient deficient food is what most people survive on. There are so many food related problems and the first step in creating solutions is to educate people about what they are putting in their own bodies. People have to care about their own nutrition first, and then they will begin to care about the food system as a whole, and how it is affecting all of us.