Like many educators, I aim to connect classroom learning to real life. I want my students to see how what they learn overlaps with their everyday experiences. One effective way to do this is by incorporating poetry and relatable subjects like food. These connections help erase the lines between personal culture and academic study.
My course, “Tasting Tomorrow: Portraying Culture and Futurity through the Culinary World,” dives into how food shapes culture. Students engage with films, articles, and poetry from the Voca archive. When they identify with the material, their interest deepens. They often bring their backgrounds and insights into discussions, enriching the learning experience. Tucson, designated a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, offers a vibrant backdrop that resonates with their lives.
Integrating local voices into the syllabus creates a richer, deeper connection. In my class, we explore poems and narratives that echo the diverse communities around us. For instance, I initially dedicated a week to studying poetry from Vinegar & Char: Verse from the Southern Foodways Alliance. While this collection is insightful, I realized it lacked broad representation from different cultural perspectives.
With the help of workshops focused on borderland identities, I revised my approach. I shifted the course structure to introduce these themes earlier. This change made a noticeable difference. Students felt more invested from the start, fostering an environment where personal and cultural stories were welcomed.
I’ve found that poetry is a powerful tool for bridging knowledge and experience. Unlike essays or documentaries that often present collective views, poetry invites a more intimate connection. It encourages students to share their individual stories while also representing their communities. The Voca archive, with its extensive collection, makes this exploration possible.
One excellent discussion point comes from the documentary Banana Land: Blood, Bullets, and Poison (2014), screened midway through the semester. It led to conversations about personal testimony and the responsibility we have as informed consumers. We linked these ideas to our discussions on food systems and power dynamics.
Poet Alberto Rios captures this theme beautifully in his poem “Nani.” A student pointed out how Rios conveys a cultural gap between generations through language and food. This resonates with many students, particularly those from bilingual families. They see themselves reflected in these works, which deepens their understanding of complex topics.
As we continue exploring these themes, it becomes clear how critical it is to ground academic discussions in students’ lived experiences. The integration of diverse voices allows students to think critically about food and culture in a more relatable way. Given our current sociopolitical landscape, discussions about food access and cultural preservation are more relevant than ever, especially in light of recent challenges like the suspension of SNAP benefits.
My role as an educator goes beyond presenting diverse materials. It’s about helping students appreciate the knowledge and experiences they bring to the table. Their stories matter, and recognizing this connection enriches both their academic journey and their personal growth.
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Joey Nardinelli is an Assistant Professor of Practice at the University of Arizona, where he teaches and develops courses focused on cultural narratives and creative writing.
