LOS SIGNIFICADOS DE LOS ALIMENTOS PROVENIENTES DE LA PRODUCCIÓN ORIENTADA AL AUTOCONSUMO EN EL NOROESTE ARGENTINO

Abstract

The aim is to analyze discussions about food emerging fromthe field of food production self-sufficiency in northwesternArgentina, in the context of an industrialized and hegemonicproduction of foods that tends to globally homogenize diets.Therefore, cuisine broadly, involving the facets of production,distribution, preparation and consumption, was trackedand studied. The ethnographic research involved in-depthinterviews and participative observation, taking as a case studya northwestern Argentina village. Among the results emerged,with gradations, the farmers’ autonomy when producing foodtargeted to self-sufficient consumption, which have their ownseeds, organic fertilizers, knowledge and skills to produce andprepare them, as well as trade and exchange networks amongrelatives and friends outside the distribution channels of thehegemonic food agribusiness sphere. The place of these foods indaily intakes is viewed as secondary in relation to the ones fromthe hegemonic sphere, although critical in certain seasons, andwithin numerous community meals in this region. Among theconclusions, the diversifier rather than homogenizer impact ofthe hegemonic food agribusiness production was considered. It ispossible to see that the persistence of crops and raising animals forself-sufficient consumption can be accomplished by implementingseveral strategies, values, meanings and memories that move andallow the continuity of the production unit as well as its culturein a broader sense. DOI: 10.12957/demetra.2015.15520