Local Grocery Store

Neighborhood Project: Learning about your neighborhood

Visit one of the large grocery stores (big chain stores such as C Town, Food Bazaar or Key Food Supermarkets, but exclude organic nautical-themed grocery stores, such as Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, and wholesale stores, such as BJ’s Wholesale Club and COSTCO) in your neighborhood and see where your food comes from. Bring your notebook or phone, when you visit the store. During your visit, observe following things and take some photos of fresh produce and items you observed.

Remember that writing is a learning process. If you earn less than 80 points out of 100, you will have a chance to revise your paper; and will be graded with a 7 points deduction.

You must include:

Part I. Fresh produce, dairy products and bread.

• Select at least 15 items of fresh produce (vegetables and fruits), dairy products, and bread; and take 3 photos for the record.
• Find where these products were produced. Are they grown in New York State or somewhere else? In another word, are they locally grown or produced? Note that you should research what “locally grown food” means and discuss why you believe that your grocery store tends to offer more locally grown food or long-distance food.
• Read at least 5 newspaper articles; incorporate into your assignment; and cite them properly.
• You are welcome to make a list of items you observed, but you must explain them in words.

 Part II. International food section

• Visit the international food section and make the following observations:
• Take note of the categories of ethnic foods available. For example, you may see some Chinese instant food or Goya products.
• What kinds of items do you find in each category?
• Are they made in the U.S. or imported from somewhere else? In your opinion, are these products authentic?
  • Do research on authenticity
  • Do read articles that I shared in Blackboard.
• Why do you think that the grocery store carries the particular kinds of ethic foods?

 Appendix. Photos and fieldnotes

• Include three photos that you took during your own fieldwork.
• Include your filed notes. Include photos of your notes or screenshots of notes on your phone.

Deadlines and more

• Write a 3 page-long paper after finishing your field trip to your local grocery store.
• Due: XXXX
• Please incorporate all the questions above in your assignment.
• You are welcome to use your phone, when you do your fieldwork. Yet, I suggest you to avoid using your phone when you actually write, because it causes lots of grammatical mistakes that you can easily avoid. Please avoid it, unless a phone is the only device available.

 Format!

• Typed, 12 point font, Times New Roman, 1-inch margins
• How to submit short writing assignments?
  • Go to Blackboard→ SOC 1101 → Writing Assignments → Local Grocery Store Project.

How will this assignment be graded?

This essay consists of 10% of your total grade; and will be graded on the following elements.

Part I:

• Research results and sociological analysis about local foods are properly presented (20 pts).
• 15 items and place of produce are properly explained in words (10 pts).
• Information is integrated from 5 newspaper articles (10 pts).

Part II:

• Categories of ethnic food items are properly presented and explained (7 pts).
• Research results and sociological analysis about authenticity are properly presented (20 pts).
• Why the grocery store carries ethnic food items is properly discussed (7 pts).
• Reliable sources are included and properly cited. Please cite articles you read (6 pts).

Appendix

• If photos are included (3 pts).
• If fieldnotes are included (4 pts).

Presentation

• If 3 page criteria is adhered (8 pts).
• If font, spacing, and APA format are correct (2 pts).
• Appropriate grammar and punctuation for the project and demonstrate extensive proofreading (3 pts).