Food Science Summer Assignment

1. Read The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan and “A Review of Family and Social Determinants of Children’sEating Patterns and Diet Quality” by Heather Patrick and Theresa Nicklas. Use the techniques you’ve learned over the years to make sense of new, complex material (especially with the research review paper). For example, I strongly suggest that you annotate the research paper and define unfamiliar terms. Though the writing is detailed and a bit complex in parts, you have the time and ability to make sense of the texts and learn a great deal from each. 

2. Use both texts to answer following questions. Your responses should total at least two pages in length and contain APA/MLA formatted citations as well as a biography. A paper copy of the completed work is due in class on Thursday, September 4^th. Look for a rubric on the class website relatively soon.

a. What is the “omnivore’s dilemma?”

b. What are some problems associated with the typical American diet? Why do these problems occur?

c. Connect the texts to your own diet. Think about which foods you eat most regularly and describe which factors seem to affect your diet the most and explain how they do so. Both texts will be helpful but I especially recommend using “A Review of Family and Social Determinants of Children’s Eating Patterns and Diet Quality.”

d. Think about the three parts of The Omnivore’s Dilemma – I. Industrial (Corn), II. Pastoral (Grass), and III. Personal (Forest) and: i. explain how food is typically produced and obtained in the United States, ii. describe some problems (ex. for consumers, for health, etc.) that arise from these methods of obtaining food as it is typically practiced, and iii. describe some ways of changing how we currently produce and obtain our food to address these problems.

e. After completing both texts, what do you think people should eat? Make general recommendations of what kinds of meals/foods a person should consume based on your knowledge so far. Your recommendations do not need to be as specific as ex. Monday – eat one egg from a cage-free chicken and drink one glass of organic orange juice for breakfast… etc.

f. Do you think most people eat the way you described for 2e? Why or why not? Support your answer.

In addition, the supplies that you will need for science class are as follows:

- 3 ring binder (1” in width should suffice)      - Writing utensils (obviously)

- A set of dividers                                                  - Ruler

- Looseleaf                                                             - Quad ruled (graph paper) composition book*

NOTE: It is completely acceptable (and environmentally friendly!) to continue to use your quad ruled composition book from last year provided that you can find it and it is in useable condition.

I’m really looking forward working with you this coming school year. Please feel free to reach out to me with questions at pwhelton@sof.edu or you can check the class website at soffoodscience.blogspot.com. Enjoy your summer!