Local Food : The Management Process for the Quality of Life and Social Ethics In northern communities

Abstract

Local  Food : The Management Process for the Quality of Life and Social Ethics In northern communities aims to 1. Study knowledge and value of local foods which enhance  well-being of Thai northern communities, 2. To study the food management process which enhances life quality and social ethics of Thai northern communities and 3. To analyze relation system and effects of Thai northern food that result in Thai northern communities.

This research is mix method research using qualitative research methodology. The data were collected in Phrae and Chiang Rai. The 36 subjects were monks, nutritionists, public health officers, culture officers and community representatives. The research instruments were in-depth interview in order to collect data from key informants.

The results found that:

1. The knowledge and value of local foods which enhance well-being of Thai northern communities are considered to be valuable folk wisdom in beauty, taste and Thai identity. Local foods recipe consists of useful nutrition such as carbohydrate, protein, vitamins, fat, sodium, minerals, water and vegetables which have medicinal properties. There for, public and private organizations should realize the importance of local food. Also, they should support in budget and knowledge in order to conserve and manage local food.


2. The food management process which enhances life quality and social ethics of Thai northern communities, Production, Family cooking process, community and community process have experience and knowledge exchange in nutritional benefits and values which have effects in life quality improvement and local food cooperative improvement. It has community stability enhancement in live together.


3. The relation system and effects of Local food on the northern

Community in local food the whole family, Community and society had integrated together, has productive process each stage and it also had brought knowledge, local wisdom that composed the morality, matches with original lifestyle of community. Moreover, it had very tight relation with occupation, coexisting in community, practicing follow religion, tradition and sacrifice and wisdoms of ancestor were taught.