Essay Competition: Why Do I Eat the Way I Do?

When was the last time you took pause and asked yourself that question? Perhaps it is something of which you are very conscious and you take great care in selecting not only the ingredients you use, but the way in which you prepare them, and with whom you share their final masterpiece. Or perhaps this question seems absurd and the answer seems obvious like “because it’s what I want to eat” or “because it’s what I can afford to eat.”

If you’ve read the About page, you know that I’m currently investigating food ethics through a fellowship with the University of Michigan Center for Ethics in Public Life. As part of my study, I invite you to participate in our essay competition and share what influences your answer to this culinary query–”Why do I eat the way I do?” Is it culture? conviction? cost? calories? convenience? Whatever it may be, we want to know. This is an invitation to a literary potluck of sorts. No, there won’t be crockpots of alphabet soup or punchbowls of alpha-bits, but rather an opportunity to belly up to the table and dish. In the spirit of a potluck, this will be an opportunity to share with others what you think it means to eat good (eat good?! what!? see the previous entry). We welcome both spirited defenses for a manner of eating which you find superior as well as proclamations of dietary apathy.

If I have your attention, hang with me- here are the rules, submission details, and prize information…

LENGTH/FORMAT: 800 Words. Format is open; feel free to inject humor, write a personal expository, or provide a formal defense for the way you eat.

SUBMISSION: Essays should be submitted as a Word document attachment to foodethics@umich.edu by Friday, February 26th Friday, March 12th at 11:59 pm. In the document include a coversheet with your name, school, major, and preferred email address.

PRIZES: The top three essays (determined by a group of UM faculty members) will receive gift certificates to local restaurants/stores. Check back for updates: we will post more detailed information about prizes and contest sponsors (and hopefully get them to guest blog and share their food story!) We will also award two additional essays with tickets to see author Michael Pollan speak at the Wharton Center at MSU on April 12, 2009. There is also an opportunity for publication of essays presenting a strong point of view on the prompt “Why do I eat the way I do?” in Consider, a campus publication whose ‘purpose is to provide an open forum for discussion of significant issues of campus, community and national interest.’ (for more information check out their awesome website ConsiderOnline)
Update: prize information can be found in the post Surprise Surprize…

Email umfoodforthought@gmail.com with any questions. Good luck writing, I can’t wait to read about what makes your tummy rumble!

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