NEW ROADS, LA.- The Julien Poydras Museum and Art Center presents the travelling exhibit Key Ingredients: America by Food. Curated by Charley Camp, Key Ingredients: America by Food explores the connections between Americans and the foods they produce, prepare, preserve, and present at table – a provocative and thoughtful look at the historical, regional, and social traditions that merge in everyday meals and celebrations. It is the newest exhibition of Museum on Main Street, a partnership of the Smithsonian Institution and state humanities councils in service to museums and citizens of rural America.

Through a selection of artifacts, photographs, and illustrations, Key Ingredients examines the evolution of the American kitchen and how food industries have responded to the technological innovations that have enabled Americans to choose an ever-wider variety of frozen, prepared, and fresh foods. Key Ingredients also looks beyond the home to restaurants, diners, and celebrations that help build a sense of community through food.

The exhibition offers a multitude of opportunities for hosting organizations to link their own collections and local food specialties to the panoramic store told in the exhibition. Key Ingredients addresses farming, table manners, history, markets, and kitchen gadgets in a lively presentation that stimulates comparisons of back then and right now, over there and right here. The exhibition will engage audiences everywhere, creating conversations and inspiring community recollection and celebration.