FAIR FOOD

A look at how food gets to the dinner table and suggestions for how it can be done better.

Many Americans take for granted their regular trips to the grocery store. Shoppers may not be aware that 80 percent of the country's meat originates from four suppliers. In fact, they may not know that there are areas in the inner cities of America where grocery stores do not even exist. Hesterman, a longtime advocate of sustainable agriculture and the founder of Fair Food Network, writes that our food system is broken and will not be able to continue supporting the world population for much longer. The author's deft explanation of our current cultivation and consumption of food should have families moving away from their supermarket aisles and into farmers’ markets and community-supported agriculture programs. Hesterman urges much-needed change on the federal level, as well: “Moving from conscious consumers in our own homes to engaged citizens in our communities is the next step but…no matter how many of us decide to do this, the changes necessary to bring balance back into our food system will not happen without changes in public policy.” Guides and resources are included to help the average consumer source food locally, and the author also includes a breakdown of federal legislation and how it should be amended. 

A thorough, inspiring guide on how to restructure the food system for a long and healthy future, for consumers and legislators alike.