Ethics in Food Purchasing
Tracy Zimmermann
Hospitality Management
HMGT 1102 Introduction to Food and Beverage
Activity Description: Provide a brief description of the activity
A Three Part Assignment on Ethics and Food Purchasing.
PART 1 – The Lexicon of Sustainability Weekly Blog Assignment
Task-
To consider what exactly sustainability and the food system is and how it affects our food purchasing choices. This assignment will bring awareness to the subject of sustainability and it’s terms, concepts and challenges. Short films (3-6 min) from “The Lexicon of Sustainability” will be posted to our class Open Lab Site on a weekly basis.
Expectations
Each week the expectation will be to view the video and post a 4-5 sentence guided reflection / reaction blog post to our class open lab site. Weekly from Week 2 through Week 12
PART 2 – Market Visit (Week 7 or 8 of the semester)
Task –
A site visit to Eataly Gourmet Market. This will create an opportunity for the students to get out and visit a different type of market and to see food and beverage products that they may not have come into contact with.
We will explore the market in small groups, taking part in a photographic scavenger hunt. Our goal will be to see as much of the market as possible and encounter as many different products as possible.
Expectation
– Groups will post their scavenger hunt pictures to the open lab site
– Individuals will reflect on the site visit with a blog post on the open lab. This blog post will be guided by specific reflection questions, including whether they believe Eataly is a place that would support Ethical Food Purchasing decisions.
PART 3 – Final Group Project / Presentation (Week 12 or 13)
Task
Students will be placed into groups and given a food category to work with. (i.e. Meat, Poultry, Dairy, Vegetables, Fruits, Dry Goods, etc…).
Group – will research the food category and the items it includes. Included in the research they will explain the ethical concerns that may be involved in purchasing in this food category.
Individuals
– Will choose a product from your category to focus on and research that product and the specific purchasing factors. (price, size, purchase unit, age, quality level, variety, domestic / imported / local, ethical concerns, etc.)
– Visit at least 3 different markets that carry your item and compare and contrast the products found in each. Comment on where you would make your purchase and why.
– Explain the ethical considerations involved in your purchase decision. Comment on how important the ethical considerations were to your purchase decision. Why is this?
Expectation
– Each group will present their findings to the class, with each individual speaking about their specific product.
Learning Goals: What do you aim to achieve with this activity?
A scaffolded approach to a full understanding of sustainability and ethics in food purchasing. This will allow the student to travel from concept to practice and include sustainability and ethics in their food purchasing decisions.
Timing: At what point in the lesson or semester do you use this activity? How much classroom time do you devote to it? How much out-of-class time is expected?
This will begin on the first day of class with an introduction to the Open Lab and Blogging as well as a discussion of what some of the issues in our food system are. After this introduction the majority of this assignment will be done outside of the classroom on the Open Lab.
The Final assignment will be presented in the classroom
Logistics: What preparation is needed for this activity? What instructions do you give students? Is the activity low-stakes, high-stakes, or something else?
Part 1 – Videos will be posted, instructions and reflection questions will be given. Low stakes blog post assignments.
Part 2 – Pre-Reading on Eataly will be supplied, directions to site will be supplied with maps, scavenger hunt will be prepared and explained. Low stakes.
Part 3 – Groups and Categories assigned, outline given. High stakes – Final Project
Assessment: How do you assess this activity? What assessment measures do you use? Do you use a VALUE rubric? If not, how did you develop your rubric? Is your course part of the college-wide general education assessment initiative?
Critical Thinking Value Rubric
Ethical Reasoning Value Rubric
Oral Communication Value Rubric
Reflection: How well did this activity work in your classroom? Would you repeat it? Why or why not? What challenges did you encounter, and how did you address them? What, if anything, would you change? What did students seem to enjoy about the activity?
Has not been introduced yet.
Additional Information: Please share any additional comments and further documentation of the activity – e.g. assignment instructions, rubrics, examples of student work, etc. These can be links to pages or posts on the OpenLab.
Please share a helpful link to a pages or post on the OpenLab
