Uncovering the Food Heritage based on Age Differences

Abstract

Food can be used as markers for the identity of an individual or society regardless of the geographical, social and political differences separating the populations on one nation. It is a contested medium that establishes national boundaries and identities.  The study aims to examine national food heritage awareness in the Klang Valley area based on age. The study involved 676 respondents using a self-completed questionnaire survey. Purposive sampling is being used in selecting the sample based on age, which required respondents to be 30 years old or older and have knowledge of heritage food. Statistic analysis such as frequency and cross-tabulation on age category (30-35 and >36 years old). Results revealed that there is only one common definition agreed by both age category (p>0.05) which is the traditional food are considered as food heritage. Both age using electronic media to gather information regarding on gazette National Food Heritage (p>0.05). However, on the knowledge on the authority responsible on gazette National Food Heritage respondent with adult age ( > 36 years old ) are more knowledgeable than younger adult (30-35 years old) (p<0.05). In awareness of food heritage, most of the respondent recognised traditional food from rice-based categories (n=411) than other categories. There are differences on the association National Food Heritage related to preservation, image, food identity and sustainable (p<0.05) in adult (>36 years old) than young adult (30-35 years old).  Respondent chooses the main criteria 'traditional value' which showed significant differences (p<0.05) between the age. There is a different understanding between young adult and adult on food heritage which authority need to highlight and create awareness in the national food heritage, especially in developing better promotion based on age groups.   

Keywords: Awareness; Food Heritage; Age; Demographic.   

eISSN: 2398-4287© 2020. Adilah Md Ramli, Dg Khairunisa Ahmad Sapawi, Harifah Mohd Noor, & Mohd Salehuddin Mohd Zahari. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer-review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.