Relationship Between Class and Food

       The article "Authenticity in America Class Distinctions in Potato Chip Advertising" by Freedman and Jurafsky is about comparing the differences in advertising between inexpensive and expensive potato chips and trying to see how those differences relate to their target audiences. These audiences are either upper or lower class. Common ways to appeal to the upper class are by using more complex language on the bags and by making more claims about the health of the chips. In contrast, the chips directed at lower class audiences have less complex language to correlate to the lesser amount of education and are less likely to talk about how their chips lack preservatives and are natural, when actually their ingredients are very similar to the more expensive chips. This reflects the values of higher health and quality that the upper class places in what they eat, while the lower class does not seem to care as much.
       It is interesting that these more expensive potato chip companies try to distinguish themselves in anyway possible from the less expensive chips, when actually they are virtually the same. Another interesting follow up study would be to see if the amount of income actually correlated with whether the individual bought more expensive or less expensive chips. If the correlation comes out as predicted then although the chip companies are using stereotypical ways of advertising, it is working.
        You could also apply this method of analyzing food advertising to chocolate bars. Almost everyone enjoys chocolate as a treat, but there are many different levels of quality of chocolate. I would guess that more expensive chocolates such as Godiva would use more complex language than Hersheys. I would also guess that the overall presentation and wrappers of Godiva would look more expensive than those of Hersheys. This same analysis can be done on almost any kinds of food that there are many brands of. It is interesting that food has become such a distinct factor in distinguishing between class levels.