Anthropology of Food

A Note on Videos and Visual Anthropology

Anthropology Videos and DVDs at the UMD Library
Archaeology and Classical Studies Videos and DVDs in the UMD Library

Video materials used in class explore and illustrate many topics covered in this course. Consider these presentations similar to lab sessions, that is, view them carefully and critically rather than simply watch another movie or video. The exams will include these materials, and it will be assumed that you have paid critical attention to them.

Just Eat It
A Food Waste Story

<http://www.bullfrogfilms.com/catalog/just.html>

We all love food. As a society, we devour countless cooking shows, culinary magazines and foodie blogs. So how could we possibly be throwing nearly 50% of it in the trash?

Filmmakers and food lovers Jen and Grant dive into the issue of waste from farm, through retail, all the way to the back of their own fridge. After catching a glimpse of the billions of dollars of good food that is tossed each year in North America, they pledge to quit grocery shopping cold turkey and survive only on foods that would otherwise be thrown away. In a nation where one in 10 people are food insecure, the images they capture of squandered groceries are both shocking and strangely compelling. But as Grant's addictive personality turns full tilt towards food rescue, the "thrill of the find" has unexpected consequences.

Featuring interviews with TED lecturer, author and activist Tristram Stuart, acclaimed author Jonathan Bloom, and food/agriculture scientist Dana Gunders, JUST EAT IT looks at our systemic obsession with expiration dates, perfect produce and portion sizes, and reveals the core of this seemingly insignificant issue that is having devastating consequences around the globe. JUST EAT IT brings farmers, retailers, inspiring organizations, and consumers to the table in a cinematic story that is equal parts education and delicious entertainment.

and streaming

and streaming

and on-line

and streaming

VC 714

and streaming

and streaming

Related: The American Government subsides, via corn subsidies, hog production (“hog” is the preferred term in the industry). On 30 May 2013 it was announced that China's Shuanghui to buy US pork producer [Smithfield] for $4.7bn -- BBCNews. It is a major transfer to Chinese ownership of the largest pork producer in the United States: China-US pork deal 'significant'-- BBCNews (30 May 2013).

Chinese are the biggest pork consumers in the world.

Question: Should the U.S.A. subsidize a Chinese company with American taxpayers’ dollars?

Cf., Week 8, King Corn: You are What You Eat
(approx. 90 min., 1970, SB191.M2 K56 2010 DVD [DVD 1641], 2008)
[second copy with Closed Captioning available]

film homepage

Independent lens King Corn page

Big River: A King Corn Companion

(27 min., SB191.M2 K56 2010 DVD, 2010)
[second copy with Closed Captioning available]

(cont.)

SB191.M2 K56 2010 DVD

and streaming

UM Duluth Library Multimedia (HD1761 .F66 2008 DVD)

and streaming

and streaming

and streaming

UM Duluth Library Multimedia

Online access

or view on-line from Snag Films
[on-line version from Snag contains advertising]

UM Duluth Library Media HD9005 .F66 2009 DVD)

and

streaming

UM Duluth Library Media BJ52.5 .A44 2011 DVD

and

tba streaming

Week 12 —

and streaming

and UMD Library Link

Week 13 —

and streaming

and streaming

DVD 959

and on-line