Dominant Discourses Regarding Contemporary Foodways in the U.S.

Discourse is an expression used for critisism, It is a way for people to be able to look at topics and find the Why?Who?What?Why not? and Perspectives. The Dominant Discourse is the critique of the people who are so called "experts" on the topic, which in this case is food. Today the contemporary dominant discourses in the U.S. regarding foodways is that Green food is better than fast food, the reason so many people are behind this is because of doctors. Doctors have always been a well respected source for almost any topic that involves your health so why not food. Dr. Preston Maring a well respected doctor at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in oakland stated that "I like to put doctors on the spot,” he said, referring to his penchant for hauling a senior clinician up to the front of the room to chop vegetables with him. We tend to be exalted, and I want to show the staffs that many of us don’t know how to mince garlic." Doctors Orders: Eat well to Be Well By Katrina Heron. The quote shows that even doctors know that the only reason they are exalted is because they are doctors. Dr.Maring is a gynecologist and obstetrician both of which do not specify in nutrition or food.

A Frequently discussed food topic is healthy or "Green" food as some people call it. Today more and more people are becoming concerned with what they eat. Today most people have the idea that if you get something from a farm it is Fresher than when you get something from the grocery store which is why green markets are becoming more and more popular. One market set in the Freeport-Roosevelt Health Center parking lot in Long island is doing very well for itself. "Honestly, this is a blessing,” said Mr. Freeland, a 45-year-old Navy veteran, who does two janitorial jobs, formerly owned a janitorial business in Atlanta and has been homeless since his apartment was flooded out this year. You get the food direct from the farm — they’re still cleaning it off when I get there. You can’t get more fresh than that." Fresh Vegetables Where Fast Food Reigns by Peter Applebome. This Market alone went from $260 a week to $1,400 a week.

This supports the idea that the dominant discourse for Foodways in the U.S. is Green food is more popular and better for you than fast food. Statistics from the Organic Trade Association's 2010 Organic Industry Survey show that U.S. sales of organic food and beverages have grown from $1 billion in 1990 to $24.8 billion in 2009. Sales in 2009 showed a 5.1 percent growth over 2008 sales. Experiencing the highest growth in sales during 2009 were organic fruits and vegetables, up to 11.4 percent over 2008 sales.