Description
“Commodity Stories” are methodological analyses that seek to uncover the diverse social, environmental, political, and economic relationships that underpin the production, distribution, and consumption of everyday items we purchase. In 2000 words or less, write a “food commodity story” that follows the journey of one particular food item from field (or sea) to plate.
The paper should address all of these following questions in a clear and logical manner:
– Why and when did the food commodity become a commodity in the first place?
– Where and how is the food commodity produced?
– What impact (if any) does the commodity have on the environment?
– Who are the labourers that produce the commodity?
– Which actors (if any) profit from the commodity, which actors (if any) suffer?
– Who consumes the food commodity and why do they consume it (taste, culture, cost, meaning, etc).
Note, your paper does not require a specific argument or thesis statement, although you are welcome to make one. This written assignment should be ‘descriptive’ rather than ‘argumentative.’ The primary objective of this paper is to develop your peer-review research skills, your writing skills, and your ability to combine and synthesize information from a diversity of sources. You are free to write as creatively as you like, so long at the information you present is clear and properly cited.
Your bibliography will have at least 10 sources. At least 5 of the sources must be peer-reviewed, The other sources can come from government websites, advocacy organization reports, or data from the institutions like the FAO. Please use your discretion when considering such sources.
