Traditional Food Systems
Q: What is the term for native Australian foods used by Indigenous people?
bush tucker
What grain originated in ancient Mesopotamia?
wheat
Which country introduced pasta and olive oil to Australia?
Italy
What does “paddock to plate” refer to?
The journey of food from farm to consumer
Oh no!!!!
You and the group that has the most points loses 10 pts
What does “evaluate” mean in Food Studies?
To judge or assess the value or effectiveness of something.
What food gathering technique used fire to manage the environment?
fire-stick farming
What is one crop that originated in the Americas?
corn/maize
What is a popular Vietnamese dish brought to Australia?
pho
List another 3 and you get an extra 50 pts.
What type of agriculture uses machines and chemical inputs?
Industrial agriculture?
Identify a sensory property of food.
Taste, texture, aroma, appearance, or sound
For every sensory property your group got wrong, it's minus 5 pts
How did Indigenous Australians pass down food knowledge?
oral tradition
What region is rice believed to have been first cultivated?
Asia or China/India
Define fusion cuisine.
A mix of two or more cultural cooking styles
Name one environmental concern from modern farming.
Soil erosion, water pollution, or loss of biodiversity
What is a functional property of starch?
Gelatinisation
Extra 150 pts: What common food is starch found in and gelatinisation occurs?
Name one key principle of Indigenous food systems.
sustainability or respect for the land
What major change allowed ancient people to settle permanently?
development of agriculture
Give one reason why multicultural migration changed Australian eating habits.
Increased access to diverse cuisines
Explain one benefit of eating local and seasonal foods.
Reduced food miles or supporting local farmers?
Choose one group to task 100 pts from.
Distinguish between physical and chemical change in food.
physical = change in form; chemical = change in substance
Describe one difference between Indigenous food systems and Western agriculture.
Indigenous food systems focus on working with the land, using traditional ecological knowledge to harvest foods in a way that ensures long-term availability. This includes rotating harvests, respecting natural cycles, and avoiding overuse.
Western agriculture typically involves clearing land for crops or livestock, often using chemical inputs and machinery to maximize short-term yields, which can lead to environmental degradation over time.
Compare the impact of agriculture on population growth vs. hunter-gathering.
Choose a group to remove 150 pts from.
Evaluate how multiculturalism influenced restaurant culture in Australia.
Positive Impacts:
Introduced diverse cuisines such as Thai, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Indian, and Lebanese, making them mainstream.
Encouraged the rise of fusion foods that blend different cultural traditions (e.g. Korean tacos, sushi burgers).
Led to more culturally inclusive menus and restaurant environments.
Boosted the food tourism industry and local economies through variety and innovation.
Challenges or Considerations:
Some cultural dishes may be altered to suit mainstream tastes, reducing authenticity.
Not all cultural groups have equal representation in the food industry.
There can be cultural appropriation when foods are adopted without respect or understanding of their origins.
Evaluation of the Long-Term Sustainability of Current Global Food Systems:
✅ Strengths:
High productivity through technology, mechanisation, and chemical inputs.
Global trade allows for food variety and availability year-round.
Food science and innovation support efficiency and shelf life.
❌ Weaknesses and Risks:
Environmental Impact: Large-scale farming often leads to deforestation, water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity loss.
Resource Overuse: Reliance on finite resources like freshwater, fossil fuels, and synthetic fertilisers is unsustainable.
Waste: Around one-third of all food produced is wasted globally.
Inequality: Despite abundance, millions still face food insecurity while others have excessive access.
Climate Change Vulnerability: Global food systems are highly sensitive to changing weather patterns and extreme climate events.
What is the name of the next AOS (area of study)?
Unit 2: Food Makers
AOS 1: Australia's food system