Authentic or Appropriated: The Globalization of Food and Agriculture in the Global and U.S. South

• In Event: 512 - Section on Consumers and Consumption Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 02. Food and Stratification

Abstract

The distinctions between the Global North and the Global South are seen in food cultures around the world. Food culture is unique because the hierarchy dominating most cultural arguments is not as clear within food culture. For example, science and art are seen as modern inventions that only the Global North can produce. Although there are aspects of both science and art the Global North borrowed from other societies, these products often reappear in an altered form (Nardy 1999). Food culture is not as subject to these alterations. Although there is a distinction between what is considered legitimate or illegitimate food culture there is still a significant recurrence of dishes and ingredients from around the world surfacing in urban areas and being applauded for their uniqueness or exoticism (Johnston and Baumann 2007; Long 2004). This is not to imply that there are no distinctions between food in the Global North and the Global South. Wilk (2012) uses the term marginality to distinguish between foods that are accepted and others that are not. The social boundaries that surround cultural groups determine the marginal status of a food that belongs to that group.

Author

• Kaitland Marie Byrd, Virginia Tech