The Influence of Cultures on American Food and Culture

Most Amish do not have electricity in their homes for cooking many uses either wood or kerosene oil stoves: they cool their food in ice boxes. spring houses. or their basements. A minority have freezers the Amish prepare most of their food from scratch but some also use mixes and instant foods. They preserve all of their own fruits and vegetables and much of their meat by canning. Homemade bologna is popular and is usually made without the casing. Some Amish wrll occasionally purchase frozen foods as a change of taste or as a treat many rural families have their own milk cow and make cheese cottage cheese, yogurt and ice cream.

Those near urban areas usually buy these items at the supermarket or cheese houses. Many farm families eat cornmeal mush - made from oven-roasted field corn - for breakfast. Eggs and cooked cereal are other typical breakfast foods fruit orifice may be included.

The main meal of the day typically consists of noodles.

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macaroni or potatoes; meat which is often fried and canned vegetables. Homemade or supermarket-bought bread is served at every meal the lighter meal commonly consists of soup cheese or bologna and fruit. Snacks are usually apples. cookies. or leftovers. Teaching Implications Because of their desire to remain separate from the world. sharing information and new ways of doing things with the Amish can be difficult. Very few have telephones and most do not attend public meetings. Going to their homes. places of business or schools may be the best method of contact.

Because the man is the head of the household. he should be approached first. In some groups going through the bishop may be necessary. Customs and Family Traditions Family life is extremely important to the Amish; many have large families.

Children are viewed as gifts from God many women breastfeed their babies; others bottler leed Many Amish make their own baby food by grinding a portion of the family‘s meal. Some will purchase instant baby cereals. Milk is not always served to the children as a beverage but is used on cereals and in cakes and cookies. Because of their lack of exposure to the outside world (including radio television and magazines). Amish children are influenced solely by their parents and extended family‘s eating habits. However, as more young people are forced to seek jobs in the outside community their food experiences and traditions are changing.

Traditions are important to the Amish. but kept simple compared with "English" (the term Amish people use to describe the nonrAmish) standards. Many Amish hold church services and weddings in their homes. The meals that accompany these events are special times for socializmg the Amish celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas Easter and birthdays with traditional foods but. With few decorations or gifts cultural Diversity: Eating in America Cultural diversity is a major issue in American eating. To fully understand the impact cultures play in American nutrition. one must study both food and culture. This fact sheet on the Amish culture is one of a series of nine developed to address cultural diversity in American eating.