Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

This study explores the evolution of foodscapes in Kerala through temporal dimensions, analysing how food environments, where food is produced and sold, along with the food culture, have evolved over time. The past and present foodscapes were analysed to suggest possibilities for future foodscapes. The study primarily examines the changes in the production of staple foods such as rice, coconut, and fish, as well as other food crops and marketplaces. The evolution of food culture and its importance in Kerala’s culinary heritage will be discussed considering the changes that have occurred in foodscapes. A mixed-methods approach is employed to conduct the study, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative methods, which include a literature review, an on-site observational study, and a survey. The data collected was thoroughly analysed to identify the changes that have taken place in foodscapes over time and to discuss the future foodscapes of Kerala. The study yielded several key findings, the most significant being the transition of Kerala’s economy from agrarian to the service sector. Traditional practices and local markets have evolved into modernity and hypermarkets. As time has progressed, farming has declined in urban areas, paving the way for hypermarkets and online food platforms. The study also investigates Kerala’s food culture, which has been continuously evolving for centuries. The rise in hybrid diets and fast foods has adversely affected public health, increasing non-communicable diseases in the state. Based on a survey focusing on the youth and other analyses of past and present foodscapes, a hybrid model is proposed to strengthen the future foodscapes of Kerala. This model suggests that both traditional and modern practices can work harmoniously to build a sustainable food system. Integrating technology into traditional farming, especially in homesteads, increasing urban farming using traditional knowledge, and implementing a hybrid market model where both local markets and hypermarkets support local produce can contribute to a better foodscape in Kerala for the future.