The sociology of food is the study of food and its relation to society's history, development, and future. This study includes the production and consumption of food, as well as its medical, ethical, and spiritual uses. Food distribution in societies can be examined by analyzing changes in the food supply chain. Globalization, in particular, significantly affects the food supply chain by enabling economies of scale in the food distribution industry.
Food distribution
Impact of scale effects Economies of scale (or scale effects)—resulting from centralized acquisition/purchase centers in the food supply chain—favor large retailers or distributors in the food distribution market. This situation arises because larger players can use their stronger market power and financial advantages over smaller players. With both stronger market power and greater access to the financial credit market, larger players can impose barriers to entry and cement their position in the market. This advantage results in a food distribution chain with specific characteristics: large players at one end, and small players (choosing niche markets) at the other end. The existence of smaller players in specialized food distribution markets can be attributed to their shrinking market share, as well as their inability to compete with the larger players because of scale effects. Through this process, globalization has displaced smaller players. Another factor affecting specialized food distribution markets is the ability of distribution chains to own their own brands. Stores having their own brands are able to engage in price wars by lowering prices for their own brand, thereby making consumers more likely to purchase their goods.
History and culture
Early history In the early stages of humanity, food served the sole purpose of nourishment and survival. Food was a source of energy obtained by hunting and gathering, a labor-intensive process, which required early humans to eat a calorie-rich diet. These developments eventually lead to agriculture—the cultivation of plants and animals—which also contributes to labor for food and economic aspects of the sociology of food.
Culture
Over time, food became more of a way to bring people and cultures together. In many cultures, food is a primary motivation for people to socialize. This process has continued over millennia, with some examples as follows:
Early Homo sapiens hunting and gathering The New World colonists sharing a feast with Native Americans, which has been revived in the tradition called Thanksgiving The popularization of eating at restaurants during the last several decades, and the community feeling that accompanies eating The preceding developments demonstrate the communication and connectivity related to food. According to sociologists, food can be categorized by purpose and meaning:
Cultural superfoods—the staples for a culture Prestige foods—reflecting economic status Body image food—mainly consumed to improve the body Sympathetic foods—eaten for a praised and desirable property, in the style of a superstition Physiological foods—consumed for a specific health reason, such as during pregnancy These categories help researchers (e.g., sociologists) to study culture from a food perspective. The categorization often shows how food grows, is formed, and evolves with society. For example, if a person believes in homeopathy, their belief could be understood relative to sympathetic or physiological foods. As additional examples, caviar and oysters could be categorized as prestige foods: they are typically more expensive than other foods, and people who purchase and eat them do so to demonstrate their socioeconomic status.
Social sciences
Sociological perspectives From the perspective of symbolic interactionism (a sociological theory), many symbols are related to the sociology of food. Food, in many cultures, brings people together and connects them on multiple levels. One example is the tradition of eating with family around a table. This tradition represents community and communication. Food can also symbolize something larger than itself. In the US, fast food could represent a busy family that requires a quick dinner. To other people, however, fast food might demonstrate the McDonaldization theory, which focuses on the idea of American consumption. Another example of the sociology of food as symbolism would be preparing food from scratch. This example is definitely associated with the family. Among other theories of sociology, conflict theories also pertain to the sociology of food. As mentioned above, food was initially and primarily used for nourishment and survival. For this reason, conflict theory may apply. As hunters and gatherers, early humans needed to fight and forage for survival. Such conflict could also demonstrate "the survival of the fittest" (i.e., the process of natural selection): because of conflicts in obtaining food, the only survivors were the people who prevailed, thereby providing nourishment for themselves and their families. This situation evolved into contemporary society, where people must take jobs to earn a living, which is spent on food.
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