Food practices of families in an Eastern Cherokee township†

Abstract

Household food procurement strategies, preservation methods and intake frequency of contemporary and traditional foods were examined in the Eastern Cherokee township of Snowbird. In addition to purchasing food, 98.6 percent of households obtained food using traditional acquisition strategies such as gardening and gathering wild foods. Home food preservation was practiced in 97.2 percent of homes. Most common preservation methods were canning, freezing and drying. Estimates of food intake frequency indicate a variety of foods were eaten in Snowbird homes. Types of foods consumed were similar to those for the general United States population. However, native Cherokee foods were part of this group's diet.