Cultural Diversity In Canada

Food is a topic that is often taken for granted among the Canadian population, even though it is “one of the few consumer products that become part of our bodies” (Turner, 2011). In recent years, the push for Canadians to purchase local food products, in order to support the local economy during the economic downturn, has been increasing. Where this new trend in grocery shopping has been overwhelmingly positive for local farmers, producers and restaurateurs. Furthermore, the diverse nature of Canada has introduced different foods from cultures around the world that amplify the core Canadian value of multiculturalism. However, these two values of agriculture and cultural diversity are at risk. Even though local economic support is encouraged,

The food choices one makes reflects the heritage he/she stems from; however, due to the introduction of processed foods, the desire to cook cultural dishes are decreasing. Large companies such as, Kraft Dinner, capitalized on a shift in demographics, in which women started to enter the workforce. This resulted in families having “less time to prepare meals” (Chapman, 2012). Thus, KD produced a processed, easy, and quick to make option - Mac ‘n Cheese. Since processed foods “has left an indelible mark on what and how we eat, and therefore, how we live” (Chapman, 2012), that is, food shapes who we are, the popularization of these quick to make foods eventually drew individuals away from their own culture. Instead, they were drawn to a culture that reflected processed foods. Moreover, another factor that impacts cultural diversity is the incorporation of processed foods in cultural dishes for the purpose of increasing market share. This is exhibited in KD’s strategy to incorporate their products in cultural dishes around the world. Food carries meaning, but the incorporation of quick to make processed foods causes traditional dishes to be tainted with a sense of ingenuity. This idea is portrayed when Chapman says, “differences can never be manufactured in any meaningful way by a large food conglomerate”