Student's Are Asking - Why Local ?

Thursday, May 28, 2009

As a class of thirteen students at Canadian Mennonite University, we were presented with the idea of creating our own final exam. We decided to address the issue of food because it has global, economic and spiritual implications. As a class we tried to balance these three topics by creating a documentary, designing a cookbook and organizing a dinner. It was our hope that the cookbook would help raise awareness with a collection of recipes, a ‘do-it-yourself’ section, and a list of local farmers who embody the beauty of Winnipeg’s local food system. As for the documentary, what started off as a collection of interviews turned into a celebration about food. We paid special attention to the relationships that surround food production.

As eaters the consumption of food is a daily activity, and yet our thoughts surrounding it take a back seat in our busy lives. By living in Canada we have the ability to acquire almost anything we want to eat despite the global food crisis. We decided that because of the lack of awareness surrounding where our food comes from, we wanted to provide a way for people to begin to understand the origins of our food. It was God’s intent for us to be stewards for all of creation, therefore we have a responsibility to understand and engage the issues surrounding the food we eat. We took this to mean literal participation in food production. From the butchering of pigs to strengthening a relationship with a local farmer - and everything in between - participation is the key to connecting more with God’s creation. This hands-on approach -- we think -- is neglected by our society's opaque view of food.

The documentary iis split into two parts: the interviews shed light on important aspects surrounding our food, and the process highlights the class’s participation in food production. This process encouraged our own understanding of food and it is our hope that the documentary and the cookbook can do the same for you.

Download PDF of " Culinary Consciousness: A Prairie Guide to Thoughtful Eating "