Mia Sweetland

Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Dean, Erin

Area of Concentration

Environmental Studies

Abstract

This is an analysis of the role of aesthetics within contemporary food systems and their relationship with environmental values and beliefs. I use an agrarian philosophy to examine the relationships between customers and farmers, landscape values, economic influence, non-dual value systems, and the cultural influence of design and aesthetics. I use data from semi-structured interviews, taken over a four month period. I look at the perception of morality and design in alternative and conventional food systems and environmental ethics. I argue that the connection between farmers and customers has eroded over time with industrial food systems, but farmers markets re-establish this connection. Further, the aesthetic markers farmers markets use to signify this connection is now being adopted by grocery stores. Utilizing a historical and social perspective helps to see this interaction, and its potential implications for future market designs.

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