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4 pages/≈1100 words
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MLA
Subject:
Social Sciences
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Essay
Language:
English (U.S.)
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Topic:

Critical Perspective Toward Organic Food

Essay Instructions:

The goal is to write an analysis of different perspectives on the cultural meaning of organic food, and how they correlate to one another is the key: how to develop a critical perspective toward organic food by adopting the corresponding dominant narrative?
Please include the following components in the paper:
1. Homely/mainstream/dominant narratives of organic food: How has the cultural meaning of organic food been shaped?
a. Cleaner/safer (lower levels of pesticide residues)
b. Healthier (more nutritious — may contain more antioxidants, vitamins, etc.)
c. More environmental-friendly (animal welfare, benefits for soil, water, and biodiversity, etc.)
d. Any other insights
2. Unhomely/critical/counter-narratives of organic food: How did the research help to construct each counter-narrative?
a. Strictly regulated use of pesticides in traditional agriculture — both conventionally and organically grown foods are safe
b. Marginal difference in terms of nutritional value compared to traditional foods — not so much more wholesome
c. Higher cost of producing due to pesticide management (more land, more water, more labour) — not so eco-conscious
d. Any other insights
3. Any blindspots the cultural meaning of organic food may try to suppress:
a. Green marketing/advertising (e.g., strategic use of the colour green and enlarged “green” and “organic” labels on packages) — people tend to associate words like “green” and “organic” with health and environment, and therefore become more willing to pay
b. The notion of consuming green/organic food is considered more virtuous — “I’m doing good to my personal health (egoistic) and to the environment (altruistic)”, which may lead to judgements on people who do not regularly purchase green for not being “ethical”
c. Higher cost of producing — higher/premium pricing — more accessible/affordable for the rich than for the lower class — discrimination (the poor cannot afford to be “green”)
*No need to pick a side or agree on either narrative, be objective
*Each narrative should weigh roughly the same amount of writing
*1-2 paragraphs for each argument instead of big chunks of text (readability)
*Introduction and conclusion needed
*Subheadings optional

Essay Sample Content Preview:

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Subject and Section
Professor’s name
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Title

The Organic Food

The term "organic" denotes a mode of food production characterized by the absence of synthetic chemicals, hormones, antibiotics, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). To qualify as organic, a food item must be devoid of artificial additives, including natural sweeteners, preservatives, coloring agents, flavorings, and monosodium glutamate (MSG). Organic agriculture frequently employs natural fertilizers such as manure to enhance plant growth and refrain from administering antibiotics or hormones to organically raised livestock. This approach yields enhanced soil quality, groundwater conservation, pollution mitigation, and a reduced ecological footprint (Hodgson).

Fostering Critical Insights into Organic Food: Exploring Narratives and Counter-narratives

The cultural significance of organic food is complex, informed by several narratives that have molded our perceptions. Examining these diverse perspectives can foster a critical outlook aligned with the dominant narratives.

One prevailing narrative positions organic food as cleaner and safer, attributed to its perceived lower pesticide residue levels. It is embraced by consumers seeking a healthier choice, free from potentially hazardous chemical residues, as the absence of synthetic pesticides in organic farming is promoted as a safer option (Zhang and Georgescu). Another perspective extols the health advantages of organic food, asserting it as nutritionally superior due to potentially higher levels of antioxidants and vitamins. This narrative suggests that organic farming, devoid of synthetic chemicals, enables crops to develop their natural defenses, potentially increasing nutrient content (Vigar et al.). The cultural import of organic food is also intertwined with its portrayal as environmentally friendly. This narrative underscores organic agriculture's holistic, sustainable practices by emphasizing benefits such as improved animal welfare, soil health, water quality, and biodiversity. It resonates with environmentally conscious individuals seeking alignment between their food choices and ecological values. Beyond these dominant narratives, some view organic food as resistance against corporate-controlled

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