EXERCISE
1. GROUP DISCUSSION, GROUP PROJECT OR WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT Calculating the miles
• Take a typical meal (e.g. a holiday meal or a daily meal at the cafeteria), identify the sourcing or those ingredients and calculate the food miles for one dish.
2. GROUP DISCUSSION OR GROUP PROJECT Agricultural challenges and hospitality
• A crisis in global agriculture is emerging. How should the hospitality industry prepare for these challenges which will inevitably affect daily operations?
3. GROUP ACTIVITY
Visit supermarkets, organic markets and local farmers' markets
• Visit a local supermarket and make a list of key fresh ingredients (produce, fruits) including the purchasing prices. Follow the same procedure at an organic store and at a local farmer's market. Compare your result with the class.
• Conduct a comparative tasting of various ingredients (blind tasting). Identity the 'better-tasting' ingredients.
4. GROUP RESEARCH AND DISCUSSION A question of food
Provide answers and critically discuss the following questions:
• What are the different types of agriculture and how do they differ with respect to their sustainability profile?
•Why should hospitality manager bother about agricultural practices and food sourcing
•What are the key principles of organic agriculture?
•What issues do you see with sourcing certified organic food for your restaurant and at the same time claiming to be a fully sustainable eatery?
•Explain the implications and limitations of regional food sourcing with respect to a restaurant's triple bottom line.
• What is the concept of 'food miles' and how does it relate to globalization?