Abstract

Thesis Abstract:
“Gandhi had offered a talisman, to recall the face of the poorest, most defenseless person, and ask whether what we are attempting does help touch her life with dignity and worth. If it does, he suggested it must be the right thing to do – in policy and in practice” (excerpt from Rampal & Mander, 2013)
This thesis is about introducing food kinship and redefining food literacy as per my approach. My goal in doing so is to support and give a voice to my fellow co-citizens, who regardless of poverty issues, wish to change their dietary habits and lifestyle, with dignity and worth. Using food literacy and food kinship as core principles, I apply a humanistic, holistic approach with an emphasis on self-reflective and experiential learning, offering empowerment to those who are less fortunate.
Poverty, like hunger, has held a significant and pronounced place in the industrialized society and will continue to do so. In this thesis, I will prove that if food literacy is introduced to those within this group, hunger can be reduced, not eliminated. Due to the inter-disciplinary approach to food systems within this thesis, I can confirm that there is no shortage of food on planet earth, just a lack of food literacy.
Based on my observations at food themed conferences where I have presented, and numerous food related articles that I have read, I must conclude that the targeted audiences are society’s middle to upper class; those in the lower class, which contains many sub categories are socially excluded, rendering them even more vulnerable, invisible and less respected.