Food, Language, and Identity: A Comparative Study of New Jersey and Louisiana Facebook Food Communities

Sydney Santiago

Co-Presenters: Jadenleen Nunez, Lydia Chambers

College: College of Education

Major: BA.ELMED/K6/TSD/ENG

Faculty Research Mentor: Mastroeni, Christina  

Abstract:

A lot more can be found through a pork roll, egg, and cheese, or a bowl of gumbo than just flavor. In online food communities in New Jersey and Louisiana, food offers insight into how these states construct language, identity, relationships, and shared meaning. Food is a cultural experience shaped by history and community. This study examines online food communities on Facebook in two states, New Jersey and Louisiana, and assesses how regional differences shape these communities' communication and identity.One advantage of living in the 21st century is having a vast array of tools for examining how these food communities function and how their identities make them distinct. This study will explore the foods in these Facebook groups, how they reflect and influence each group's culture, and how storytelling and traditions shape these patterns.A qualitative study will examine two of the largest Facebook groups in New Jersey and Louisiana, including community interactions and the use of the food group genre in both states. Louisiana’s cuisine tends to rely on family-style recipes, drawing on native Cajun and seafood-style foods. New Jersey engages through the idea of “best foods,” highlighting businesses throughout the state and displaying strong Italian-American influences in the state's food culture.The findings indicate a regional correlation between the ways in which online communities engage with food and how culture shapes the content shared within these groups. Individuals in Louisiana employ storytelling, drawing on the state’s history of Cajun and Creole seafood, while the New Jersey Food community relies on language and images to encapsulate its culture.This study is important because food is a universal language. It is a means by which people come together as a community and identify with one another. By examining these two food communities, this research highlights the importance of digital spaces for collaboration and communication, including recipe sharing, restaurant recommendations, and connections through food.Keywords: Food, Online, Language, Identity, Facebook