The Omnivore’s Dilemma-Young Readers Edition- Michael Pollan
Guiding /Thematic Questions for Unit:
1. How can a consumer make educated informed choices (about nutrition and diet)?
2. How does marketing drive the consumer?
3. The industrial food chain is how food gets to the table for most people. How is everything connected in what we
eat? What is the importance in knowing how food gets to the table?
4. Why is corn an important staple in feeding the amount of people in the world?
The project related to Omnivore’s Dilemma will consist of 2 parts:
1. A NEWSLETTER-You will create a newsletter based on the topic of your choice. The
newsletter should include background on your topic, the importance of your topic and / or the
controversy surrounding it. You may use visuals and /or graphs. Sources must be cited in MLA
format.
2. A PROJECT OF YOUR CHOICE- Your project must be related to the topic you chose to
research in your newsletter. Projects can be a demonstration, video, documentary, public service
announcement, a movie or video, an oral presentation with visuals.
Below is a list of some project ideas and topics you can choose. Choose an area of interest
related to food choices, nutrition, and how food gets to our table. Your project idea must be
approved by the teacher. You do not have to limit the choices to these. Any idea can work as
long as it relates to your topic of interest. This is your area to be creative.
Possible topics:
types of vegetarianism
genetically modified foods
organic vs. non-organic foods
role of advertising (food placement in grocery stores)
weather and its effects on farming
fresh vs. processed food
food prep and safety
Obesity in America/Health Insurance
fast food industry and healthy menus
Convenience foods
Hunting and animal overpopulation
Food contamination/food safety
Insecticide sprays vs organic treatment of palnts
Menu choices...should restaurants have to provide vegan/vegetarian menus?
Overfishing
Greenhouse gases/pollution
Food additives
Balancing a diet between carbs, fats, proteins, and sugars
Project ideas:
1. Organic gardening (research organic gardening and give a presentation to the class
include the difference in cost in planning an organic vs non-organic meal).
2. Making two menus. Comparing making it fresh and the processed version. How much does it
cost? What is the time it takes to make? What are the nutrition facts? How does it affect labor?
3. Weather and farming- research the effects on weather and the cost to farmers and the
consumer. Interview a local farmer.
4. Create a public service announcement or commercial about food choices. Plan to upload your
psa to the Morning Show. You will be evaluated on how CREATIVELY
and TO WHAT EXTENT you include the information from the book into your product.
5. Advertising techniques used by food companies- can also interview a local food manager to
find out how food is placed on grocery shelves. Where does it catch the consumer’s eye? How
is a local food store laid out?
6. Presenting opposing viewpoints of genetically modified foods or any other controversial topic
Choose a side and defend it. This can be an oral presentation (speech with visuals)A good
resource is the Hunterdon database titled “Points of View”.
7. Food safety and preparation. Prepare a documentary on food safety and preparation.
8. Healthy options at fast food places. Investigate the history of fast food industry and the
movement toward healthier options. Compare the nutritional value of several healthy meal
choices on fast food menus. Design your own fast food item for a fast food place.
9. Make a meal using processed foods vs. homemade. Chart the cost, time, nutrition, and taste.
You can use pictures, poster, videos etc.
The Hunterdon County Library online database has several health databases and a point of view
database.
Your topic and project must be approved by the teacher. The newsletter will be done in class
and some of the project maybe also. The accompanying project must be completed by 4-22-14.
If your project is completed before that time you may present it to the class and then you will be
free over the spring break.