DIT 1525: Assignment #1- Nutrition Exploration (25 points)
Purpose: Investigate why you choose the food you do and begin to explore whether or not your
... [Show More] personal
food choices promote a healthy lifestyle and helps preserve and protect the planet for future generations.
Step I- Record 1 day’s food intake during the week and 1 day’s food intake on the weekend (please use
typical days and record information on forms located on pages 8-9). After you have completed your 2-day
intake information, answer questions, starting on page 5. You will not be graded on how or what you eat.
You will be graded on how well you answer the questions about your food records.
Step 2- In recent years, environmental issues have become a great concern. Each individual can
significantly impact the environment. Read the following information on “Sustainable Agriculture” and
“Foods Carbon Footprint” and answer questions 2-11 that follow.
Sustainable Agriculture: (Questions 2-4)
Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable agriculture is a way of raising food that is healthy for consumers and animals, does not harm
the environment, is humane for workers, respects animals, provides a fair wage to the farmer, and
supports and enhances rural communities.
Conservation and preservation. What is taken out of the environment is put back in, so land and
resources such as water, soil and air can be replenished and are available to future generations. The waste
from sustainable farming stays within the farm’s ecosystem and cannot cause buildup or pollution. In
addition, sustainable agriculture seeks to minimize transportation costs and fossil fuel use, and is as
locally-based as possible.
Biodiversity. Farms raise different types of plants and animals, which are rotated around the fields to
enrich the soil and help prevent disease and pest outbreaks. Chemical pesticides are used minimally and
only when necessary; many sustainable farms do not use any form of chemicals.
Animal welfare. Animals are treated humanely and with respect, and are well cared for. They are
permitted to carry out their natural behaviors, such as grazing, rooting or pecking, and are fed a natural
diet appropriate for their species.
Economically viable. Farmers are paid a fair wage and are not dependent on subsidies from the
government. Sustainable farmers help strengthen rural communities.
Socially just. Workers are treated fairly and paid competitive wages and benefits. They work in a safe
environment and are offered proper living conditions and food.
In 1990, the US government defined sustainable agriculture in Public Law 101-624, Title XVI, Subtitle A,
Section 1683, as “an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific
application that will, over the long term, satisfy human food and fiber needs; enhance environmental
quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends; make the most [Show Less]