The Applied Culture Gate Association, in cooperation with the Zarqa Culture Directorate, and under the auspices of the American Applied University, organized a food culture conference entitled "Enhancing Identity through Food" on Saturday at the King Abdullah II Cultural Center in Zarqa.
During the opening of the conference, MP Walid Al-Masry pointed out the importance of enhancing awareness of food culture and national food security.
He called on young people to invest in the agricultural sector as a promising field that contributes to reducing poverty and unemployment rates, and enhances national food sufficiency.
MP Eng. Naseem Al-Abbadi considered the conference an important step to spread awareness about food security in a troubled world suffering from conflicts and disputes.
For his part, the conference chairman, Dr. Bahaa Mousa, from the American Applied University, stressed that food culture is not just a reflection of the past, but rather represents a bridge to the future, as it contributes to strengthening national identity and consolidating authentic values and customs.
He stressed the importance of sustainable development projects, primarily agriculture, as a strategic line of defense in the face of global transformations, pointing to plans to launch a cooking competition in which people with disabilities will participate.
The conference included rich discussion sessions that addressed main topics, including: health and nutrition, where specialized speakers discussed the benefits and challenges of a gluten-free diet, white bean allergy, and the effect of food on genes.
In the cultural identity through food axis, the Jordanian food identity was reviewed, and the role of Arab cuisine in promoting the authentic Arab identity, in addition to topics of food safety and the harms of preservatives and chemical interventions in the food industry.
On the sidelines of the conference, an exhibition of various food products was opened, including sweets and drinks inspired by the authentic Jordanian heritage, highlighting the values and traditions of society, as the conference was an opportunity to enrich the discussion on food security, highlighting its role in preserving the Jordanian cultural identity and promoting rapprochement between peoples and cultures
