There is nothing more political than food. In the food production process, what counts as food, how it's produced, to whom it is distributed, and what regulations apply to the process are all matters of political resources and deliberations. More immediately for us, the food we consume is also intertwined with our identities, families, bodies, and beliefs. Our understanding of food, however, is constructed - most often by media images about the food we eat, how we cook it, and where it came from. Everything from food advertisements, social media trends, Food Network content, cookbooks and magazines shape how we think about food and its consumption. This lecture will explore media content and the politics and representations of food.

Aaron Heresco, Ph.D., is a 1st generation college student who grew up in central Pennsylvania. He went to Penn State Altoona for his undergraduate degree with plans to work in international affairs. After taking two years off after graduation, Aaron decided to pursue a post-graduate degree in communication, focusing largely on news cultures and practices. While studying news Aaron developed a passion for understanding the relationship between communication, media, and power. These interests have led Aaron to research issues ranging from campaign finance coverage, television representation of masculinity, financial literacy programs, and the economics of television production. Aaron currently lives in Camarillo with his wife Leslie and pet.