Homework #3: Fast Food Insights and Green Market Realizations

When most students are asked where they go out to lunch, their answers are generally limited, mostly consisting of fast food restaurants. One begins to wonder what draws people to them, instead of markets such as The Green Market? Even though The Green Market is outside in Union Square, its cleanliness is impeccable. There is a small (if any) amount of trash around the booths and all the venders keep their products neatly organized. Do people stay away because they believe with the bustle of human traffic the food is soiled? When in the Wendy’s, there was also not much trash on the ground, but a carpet that had probably collected lots of dirt during the day and tables which were probably not wiped down after every sitting. Is this to say that Wendy’s as an indoor place is any more sanitary?

            While asking questions in the Wendy’s, the people seemed oddly anxious, as if dreading what we would ask. The manager came out a little annoyed, eyeing us suspiciously and seemed to wait for an explanation. She was not quite sure of where her food was processed, but the meat did come from a company named SIGMA. The manager explained that the meat stays at the Wendy’s for 5 days and no preservatives are used to keep it fresh. At The Green Market, vendors were happy to share some information, as long as we stepped aside from their table, so that we didn’t affect business. One woman selling goat cheese explained how she cared for each goat, and used each one’s milk to create her cheese. Another young man described how he only uses pesticides when the problem presents itself. All of them seemed quite proud to educate us about their work and promote their process. Pride was not something seen among the employees of Wendy’s, only impatience.

            Wendy’s now displays a chart with all of the nutritional facts for their many foods. Maybe they feel that this illustrates to people that they have nothing to hide; they want you to know what is in their food. While in line, it seemed as though no one glanced at the sign, signaling that the crowd that Wendy’s attracts is possibly not as health conscious as those attending The Green Market. One might say that Wendy’s is more convenient; the food is already prepared and one just makes a quick order. At The Green Market one must select their ingredients to create the meal themselves. When cooking with food from The Green Market, the person knows exactly what is going into their food; but many Americans might not believe that to be necessary. The American society is so based on competition and quick play, it presents no wonder to see that the average American is attracted to the “loop hole” of food consumption.