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Author
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Topic: Foodie and food security books
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Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560
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posted 22 June 2008 04:17 AM
This isn't just a plug for the rabble's latest book reviews, although I see that the last three are about food, and two out of three are about food security, combined with some foodiness. (And actually, I think rabble's hosted reviews of other interesting books on food security too.)Anyhow, here are the three book reviews from rabble: Apples to Oysters, Margaret Webb
The Fruit Hunters, Adam Leith Gollner
Dinner behind the Great Wall Has anyone else noticed the intersection between foodie and food security themes in a number of books hitting the market lately? I'm not sure whether food security is getting coopted, or whether foodies are getting more socially conscious.
From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001
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Bookish Agrarian
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 7538
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posted 22 June 2008 06:34 AM
It might be a bit of both. One thing I have noticed is that my requests for being a speaker or panelist at events that usually don't include actual farmers when they talk about food is up.In fact it often makes me laugh when I see groups discussing food issues and they DON'T include farmers. It is a bit like having a discussion on teeth without inviting a dentist. There are some other good books out there right now too- The End of Food by Thomas Pawlick
PANDEMONIUM - Andrew Nikiforuk (not just food, but it will give you the willies)
In Defense of Food by Michael Pollon
GOOD CROP/ BAD CROP by Devlin Kuyek
From: Home of this year's IPM | Registered: Nov 2004
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jrose
babble intern
Babbler # 13401
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posted 22 June 2008 06:51 AM
I've been reading a lot of food security books lately, so I think I might be the prime example of a (wannabe) foodie that becomes more socially aware.Among them: The End of Food, Thomas Pawlick
100-Mile Diet, J.B MacKinnon and Alisa Smith
Harvest for Hope, Jane Goodall
The Omnivore's Dilemma, Michael Pollan Surprisingly, I might even recommend the Jane Goodall one above all the others, especially as an introduction to food security. I've passed it on to a few people who don't know much about their food, beyond what the packaging tells them, and its really had an affect on them. [ 22 June 2008: Message edited by: jrose ]
From: Ottawa | Registered: Oct 2006
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mybabble
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 15302
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posted 22 June 2008 09:30 PM
How important is it to the health of child who diets on food that has expired such as white rice, big bags of it, expired chips and chocolate bars,cookies,chocolates,chips,easter bunnies,valentine chocolate hearts,chocolate Santa's, expired fruits and vegetable in cans, expired frozen foods like moldy bread and others withoug a date. Would these products have any nutritional value? And is this not a diet that would almost guarantee diabetes.
There are no rules on the handling of this food as victims of hep c and aids have know to transport this food and shelf it.
These kids eat a steady diet of this crap that sits of a shelf which thanks to their government they now have special stores where these kids can go buy there exired food products. Whose children are forced to eat the cities garbage?
From: vanouver | Registered: Jun 2008
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Farmpunk
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 12955
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posted 23 June 2008 04:22 AM
To drift off BA's point, not many farmers are authors, and as he said, farmers are generally not taken as authorities when discussions turn to food. And when a farmer is on a panel or a show, it seems as if only nice and polite farmers are allowed to speak and give their opinions.Now, for a farmer-writer, I'm a fan of Wendell Berry. He's a little more philosophical than the current crop of food journalists, but at least he's had his hands in the dirt. Joel Salatin, prominently featured in Omnivor's Dilemma, is also a good writer (used to be a journalist). In fact, you can probably learn as much about what food farming is really like by reading Pastured Poultry Profits, than you can by taking on the seemingly endless foodie titles flooding the book market.
From: SW Ontario | Registered: Jul 2006
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jrose
babble intern
Babbler # 13401
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posted 23 June 2008 04:59 AM
Goodall's book, among others, goes into small detail about poverty in Western countries in relation to food. It isn't always that people don't have access to food, rather they have access to the wrong foods. Think of the shelves of Giant Tiger or any chain of dollar store, which offer cans or packages of food with little or no nutritional value for 2/$1. I discussed this while writing an article about our local Food Not Bombs chapter, and this is one of the organization's main concerns (accessability of the RIGHT foods, not just food). This chapter gathers leftovers from local bakeries, farmer's markets and businesses to provide free, vegan dishes every week in a park near my house. Sure, one day a week isn't going to provide every family with enough nutrients to get through seven days, however it gets people talking about issues of food security in our own neighbourhood.
From: Ottawa | Registered: Oct 2006
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