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“Green Bean Casserole and Midwestern Identity: A Regional Foodways

Aesthetic and Ethos”

By Lucy Long

            Long’s article focuses on the common Midwestern dish, green bean casserole, and what this dish implicates about Midwestern foodways and society.  Foodways are the fundamental values of a culture, depicted through the foods consumed in a society.  Green bean casserole, Long argues, exemplifies many of the fundamental values found in Midwestern culture.  Green bean casserole exemplifies the Midwestern traits of conservatism and practicality by demonstrating the Midwestern acceptance of commercialization, technology and convenience (as it is a dish traditionally comprised almost entirely of canned, commercialized ingredients).  This dish is also a simple, hearty meal, which is dependable and can be transported, which lends itself to many uses (thus reiterating the idea of practicality).  Also, casseroles historically gained popularity through their versatility and ability to stretch food items, which also demonstrates the Midwestern ideals of conservatism and practicality.  Green bean casserole also demonstrates a regional concept of family values and hospitality.  The dish connects strangers and bridges social gaps by creating a bond stemming from memories and traditions shared in the region.  Overall, green bean casserole is a popular dish in the Midwest, and it portrays many characteristics of this region.

“The Meaning of Food in Our Lives:

A Cross-Cultural Perspective on Eating and Well-Being”

By Dr. Paul Rozin

            Rozin’s article focuses on the way in which humans currently interact with food in society and the implications of this interaction, along with ways to alleviate problems arising from the interaction with food.  Humans used to expend more energy gathering food, which kept obesity in check, but advances in technology such as surplus and commercialization of food, have changed the way food is interacted with by humans.  Today food is easily and readily available for humans, which has stopped the archaic system that balanced energy intake and output from functioning.  Society must adapt to this change, as more humans suffer from obesity and long term health disorders stemming from poor diet, lack of knowledge and education on nutrition, and little exercise.  The French are more adept to deal with these obstacles as their culture focuses more on the quality of food eaten and is based on a lifestyle of seeking little pleasures daily.  Americans, who focus more on quantity and the consequences of eating, should try to be more like the French, and have a greater appreciation for food, eat smaller portions, and travel more by walking than by car, in order to live longer and maintain healthier lifestyles.

Works Cited

Long, Lucy. “Green Bean Casserole and Midwestern Identity: A Regional

      Foodways Aesthetic and Ethos.” Midwestern Folklore Spring (2007):

      29-44. Blackboard Site for GSW 1120H. Amanda McGuire Rzicznek. Web.

      19 Jan. 2010. <http://elearning.bgsu.edu>.

Rozin, Paul. “The Meaning of Food in Our Lives: A Cross-Cultural Perspective

      on Eating and Well-Being.” Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior  37

      (2005). EBSCOhost. Web. 19 Jan. 2010. <http://www.ebscohost.com>.