Sustainability and Fast Food by Harper Russell https://padlet.com/hr52215/oxjr8tqg864ahdux en-us 2023-03-28 18:00:31 UTC 2023-05-05 14:18:34 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f35f.png History of Fast Food hr52215 https://padlet.com/hr52215/oxjr8tqg864ahdux/wish/2563206218 The fast food business has evolved substantially during the last 2,000 years. What started as street vendors in Ancient Rome that only gave to the poor, has developed over time into a widely accessible, and widely misused concept. In 1896, Max Sielaff opened the world's first automat in Berlin. Following the booming popularity and success he had in Germany, Max Sielaff decided to start one in New York City in 1902. The concept of a cheap, ready to eat meal revolutionized the American food industry forever. Beginning with the first Coney Island Hot Dog Stand, fast food restaurants spread like a virus through the United States. They reached the west coast only a number of years later. By 1921, select restaurants such as A&W were already expanding into franchises. In the 50’s and 60’s, a new highway system was built. This meant Americans were driving more than ever, and fast food was bigger than ever. New franchises were popping up everywhere with new inventions called “drive thrus” to keep up with a new on-the-go lifestyle. At that point, central supply facilities were required for the mass production and shipping of ingredients. Less than ten years later, Mcdonalds was opening its first location abroad. Today, there are over 200,000 fast food restaurants in the US alone. Not to mention the thousands of American fast food restaurants in other countries. With the fast food industry growing at an alarming rate of 2.5% per year, there will be thousands more by 2050 if no one does anything to stop it. 



]]> 2023-04-21 12:55:16 UTC https://padlet.com/hr52215/oxjr8tqg864ahdux/wish/2563206218 Human Impacts of Fast Food hr52215 https://padlet.com/hr52215/oxjr8tqg864ahdux/wish/2563208274 The fast food industry impacts everyone from its workers to its customers. Even if you're not affected directly, fast food impacts the environment you live in in a destructive way. By paying their employees wages as low as $8, many fast food employees suffer from unattended health problems due to high medical fees, and little to no health benefits. The life expectancy for workers in other industries can be between 5 and 15 years higher than that of a fast food worker, as a result of fast food workers receiving less pay and health benefits.  Earning an average wage of $9 an hour, most employees would receive $18,770 before tax. Because this is already below the poverty line for a family of three, it likely could not support a family for a sustained period of time, causing more children to grow up without the resources they need. The fast food industry also influences its customers in numerous ways. Most fast food includes PFAs in their packaging. PFAs are chemicals that can lead to serious, health altering effects on someone. Not only are they bad for your health if consumed, they can have a negative impact on the environment you live in.   Even if you're lucky enough not to get any poisonous PFAs in your meal, it may as well be poisonous, as fast food is very unhealthy. Just one meal of a burger, drink and fries can have thousands of calories, and a harmful amount of sodium and sugar. This can lead to cancer, liver damage, diabetes or other serious health issues. So not only does fast food harm its customers and workers, it is beginning to impact the lives of citizens who have never even tried fast food. It is such a wide scale problem, that it is nearly impossible to escape the wrath of the fast food industry these days. ]]> 2023-04-21 12:57:38 UTC https://padlet.com/hr52215/oxjr8tqg864ahdux/wish/2563208274 Economic and Political Impacts of Fast Food hr52215 https://padlet.com/hr52215/oxjr8tqg864ahdux/wish/2563209977 The fast food industry is a growing concern that attracts all sorts of political disputes and economical issues. Because most fast food restaurants like to maintain low wages, they encourage their employees to sign up for state assistance programs. Programs that are funded by taxpayers dollars. There are hardly any big fast food chains left these days that are impartial when it comes to political campaigns and elections. And the impacts these chains have on campaigns aren’t small. Most will donate large sums of money through super pacs, about 70% of donations going towards the republican party. This may be because the democratic party is pushing more efforts for sustainability, and trying to pass laws that could limit production and decrease revenue for fast food restaurants. Politicians often receive generous sums of money either directly or indirectly from fast food corporations. This is cause for that politician to support their donors. These endorsements can affect fast food restaurants in huge ways, and bring in a lot of extra money. Most fast food franchises will use this money to open new locations, causing a ripple effect through the economy. New franchises pop up everywhere, challenging local small businesses, thus resulting in massive layoffs when those companies go out of business.These are only a few examples of how the fast food industry is affecting the political world. Over time it has become a widely expected norm for fast food giant's to be so involved in politics and economics. The ties these fast food giants have with the government will continue to grow over time until they directly affect all political decisions. Until all power rests in their hands. 

]]> 2023-04-21 12:59:19 UTC https://padlet.com/hr52215/oxjr8tqg864ahdux/wish/2563209977 Fast Food Packaging Overflowing Garbage Can hr52215 https://padlet.com/hr52215/oxjr8tqg864ahdux/wish/2563213415 2023-04-21 13:02:36 UTC https://padlet.com/hr52215/oxjr8tqg864ahdux/wish/2563213415 The Problem of Fast Food and How to Fix it hr52215 https://padlet.com/hr52215/oxjr8tqg864ahdux/wish/2563244886 When it comes to the issue of fast food, there is no one clear solution. The best thing you can do is to fight individual problems as they arise. Recycle as much as you can, and don’t be afraid to encourage others to recycle as well. Don't leave litter on the ground, and be an advocate for a clean environment. Be a responsible consumer and learn more about your favorite fast food restaurant. What campaigns do they donate to? Do they use PFAs? Do they recycle? Better understanding these common issues will help you find solutions to the problems, and propose a change. Spread word of any alarming news you find surrounding your favorite fast food place. Awareness of the subject is necessary if any positive change is to be made. At the end of the day, one of the best things you can do is to just try to limit how often you go to fast food restaurants. Don't place too much power where it doesn’t belong. Try out that local business you've been interested in for a while. 



]]> 2023-04-21 13:31:21 UTC https://padlet.com/hr52215/oxjr8tqg864ahdux/wish/2563244886 Infographic Showing Statistics of Top Three Fast Fast Food Chains Worldwide hr52215 https://padlet.com/hr52215/oxjr8tqg864ahdux/wish/2563250695 2023-04-21 13:36:14 UTC https://padlet.com/hr52215/oxjr8tqg864ahdux/wish/2563250695 Works cited hr52215 https://padlet.com/hr52215/oxjr8tqg864ahdux/wish/2579601154
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