Chipotle Ad: Can a Burrito Change the World?
Chipotle asks, Can a burrito change the world? What kind of environmental discourses are used to answer this? How does it describe farming practices? How does Chipotle back its claims? Can Chipotle legitimately claim they are changing the food industry? Discuss the meaning of the phrase at the very end: How we grow our food is how we grow our future.
Sun-Maid Raisin Girl goes to Hollywood
This advertisement for Sun-Maid Raisins is a strong example of the pastoral environmental discourse. It represents an idyllic version of farming that has a long tradition in Western visual culture. Discuss with students about whether or not this ad accurately represents the reality of industrial farming. They can research how raisins are produced and the conditions for laborers who pick grapes. They can also explore what kinds of beliefs about the environment are communicated in the ad. Finally, what do they think about the ad’s focus on celebrity?
Food, Inc.
The opening four minute title sequence features the voice of food journalist, Michael Pollan, discussing how food packaging depicts (and misleads) about American agriculture. This is an excellent example of how environmental discourses are communicated in everyday life and models for students how to analyze them.
Seed Matters: Organic vs. Agribusiness
A short animated film that tries to shed light on the difference between organic and industrial agribusiness. This is useful for exploring environmental discourses around food systems and environmental ideology. Gender roles can also be discussed.