History in the Making: Older Canadian Women’s Food-Related Practices

Abstract

Many societies have traditionally considered cooking nourishing food for the family to be a natural occupation of women. This article outlines the findings of a small-scale, interpretive study focusing on older Canadian women's participation in planning, preparing, serving, and sharing food for Christmas. The 20 participants, who each took part in one of three focus group discussions, ranged in age from 65 to 93. They were recruited through the Women's Institute in Alberta, Canada and all were from a rural background. Analysis revealed that the meanings of preparing food for family and others at Christmas are shaped by personal, social, cultural, historical, and religious influences. The findings open lines of inquiry into ways these and the next generation of women support the continuation of traditional practices and resist and adjust to change.