Prescription Vegetable?

Eating has everything to do with being human. Food is both sustenance—essential for life—and a binding ingredient among people. Strangely, however, the topic receives little discussion at Princeton University. Despite occasional events, nothing resembles the integrated network of food scholars, activists, and scientists that many of our peer institutions have developed.

“Prescription Vegetable?” will explore food as an entry point for human connection, and in particular the ways in which “plant-forward” and “place-based” eating can bring health to both individual bodies and systems of community agriculture. To reveal local foodscapes, food insecurities, and food initiatives, Professor Andrew Chignell (Religion and University Center for Human Values), Associate Research Scholar Tessa Lowinske Desmond (American Studies), and undergraduate Alice Wistar ’20 will partner with the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey to host a special dinner at Jammin’ Crepes on Nassau St. By invitation, a select group of students, staff, and faculty, as well as chefs, restauranteurs, and farmers, will enjoy a meal sourced by ingredients from local farmers.

Short lectures will come from farmers and a representative of NOFA-NJ, among others. The night will culminate in a presentation on the importance of conscientious eating for the health of humans and land alike, delivered by Dr. Ron Weiss, board-certified internist and botanist, Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, and founder of Ethos Health, a combined farm and medical facility in New Jersey. He will speak on “Farm to Hospital: How the Way We Farm Makes Us Sick.”

Space is limited and registration here is required.

This event is part of the Being Human Festival 2019 of the Humanities Council.