Heather's Kingdom

Chronicling the Oil Spill

The Southern Food and Beverage Museum is the foremost archival source on the region’s culinary history, but the museum is not only interested in the past. In response to the BP oil disaster, SoFAB has launched a new section of their website that aims to collect information on the cultural impacts of the spill.

The museum states on its website: ”Much of the current media attention focuses on the environmental and economic impacts of the spill, and while these aspects are extremely important, the cultural impact of such disasters if often ignored until it is too late.” To help ensure that the cultural impacts are not ignored, the site will serve as a clearinghouse where researchers and academics can post information on their relevant projects. SoFab has also posted a survey for restaurateurs to gauge the impact of the disaster on their businesses. Hopefully, the site will create an online forum that tracks this disaster’s effects not only on Gulf Coast residents’ wallets and wetlands, but also on their way of life. Those who are interested in adding a research initiative to the clearinghouse can contact SoFAB President Liz Williams at liz@southernfood.org.