From Fields to Family: Asian Pacific Americans and Food

While Asian American designers, CEOs, and chefs may grab our attention, it becomes easy to forget that many of the first Asian Americans came over as plantation and farm workers.  An exhibition called “From Fields to Family:  Asian Pacific Americans and Food” at the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience deals with the contributions of Asian Americans to the food industry as well as the role of food in Asian American culture.  In this interview with Cassie Chinn, the museum’s executive director, she reveals that exhibit was put together with community input and by a group from the local Asian American community.

The exhibition has four main themes:

• From Source to Table, which traces the history of Asian Pacific American contributions within the food industry
• Family, which showcases the ways food is a central gathering point within our families and communities
• Politics, which explores issues related to labor, sustainability, access and nutrition
• Culture, which features heritage ingredients and processes, adaptations and innovations

The exhibition opens in Seattle, wA with a reception on October 13th, with free admission from 7-8 PM.  The “From Fields to Family: Asian Pacific Americans and Food” will be shown from October 14, 2011 through July 15, 2012.  More information such as directions is available at our 8asians Event Entry for this exhibition.

[Photo credit:  Barry Wong]