Print FriendlyI’m always looking for new books to read (ok..listen to - audiobooks for the win!) so I thought maybe we could do a little exchange? I will share a few of my favorite books with you and perhaps you could share one or two of yours with me?
You probably won’t be surprised that food themed books are at the top of my list. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy all sorts of books from romance to mystery to fantasy and even suspense on occasion, but these 5 books have a special place in my heart. I’m even planning to re-read a couple of them which is something I almost never do.
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
In Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, author Barbara Kingsolver shares her family’s year long adventure of eating only what they could grow themselves and/or buy from local farms. Kingsolver infuses her story with humor but doesn’t sugar coat the challenges in sourcing 100% of their food from close to home.
Bet the Farm by Beth Hoffman
Author, Beth Hoffman and her husband moved from city life in California to her husband’s home place in rural Iowa. Although, Beth’s father in law managed to keep the farm going through the farming crisis of the 80’s the farm was losing vitality and Beth and husband, John, had to find a way to keep the farm afloat. Although our farms and our stories are different in many ways, I found myself nodding along at almost every anecdote Beth shared. We have both had to reach outside the traditional ‘agriculture’ model and I feel the ups and downs that Beth shares in her story deep in my soul.
American Grown by Michelle Obama
I can’t lie, this book almost had me leaving the farm and volunteering myself as tribute to community gardens across Southwest Iowa. Economic realities however, reeled me back in and instead I am doubling down on raising healthy food for my community here at the farm.
In American Grown, Michelle and several others tell the story of the White House garden which Michelle spearheaded during her husband’s presidency. The garden grew into so much more than just a few vegetables for the president’s table. When the call was put out for volunteers to help tend the space, they had to create a waitlist because the community was so deeply moved by the experience of tending the soil. The stories of children connecting with the food and the land were especially touching to me.
How We Eat – The Brave New World of Food & Drink by Paco Underhill
So, this book isn’t exactly local food but it does paint a fascinating picture of our food system in general.
Paco Underhill is a food researcher that has worked around the globe. He shares the nitty gritty of how food companies influence what we buy and therefore what we eat and drink. Eye- opening is an understatement. Despite sharing some concerning details about our food system, Paco still manages to maintain an optimistic undercurrent throughout his book. I don’t often read books more than once but How We Eat is actually going on my list to re-read this winter.
Finding Freedom by Erin French
Erin French is the chef and owner of the world renowned restaurant called The Lost Kitchen. Erin’s journey to success was far from a straight line and her tenacity is inspiring. Her journey with food and the many iterations of her restaurant remind me that we can always pivot. Erin’s unconventional story inspires me to continue bringing community together via good food whenever possible.
There you have it, my 5 favorite local food books. What are some of your favorite books? Let me know in the comments!
You probably won’t be surprised that food themed books are at the top of my list. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy all sorts of books from romance to mystery to fantasy and even suspense on occasion, but these 5 books have a special place in my heart. I’m even planning to re-read a couple of them which is something I almost never do.
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
In Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, author Barbara Kingsolver shares her family’s year long adventure of eating only what they could grow themselves and/or buy from local farms. Kingsolver infuses her story with humor but doesn’t sugar coat the challenges in sourcing 100% of their food from close to home.
Bet the Farm by Beth Hoffman
Author, Beth Hoffman and her husband moved from city life in California to her husband’s home place in rural Iowa. Although, Beth’s father in law managed to keep the farm going through the farming crisis of the 80’s the farm was losing vitality and Beth and husband, John, had to find a way to keep the farm afloat. Although our farms and our stories are different in many ways, I found myself nodding along at almost every anecdote Beth shared. We have both had to reach outside the traditional ‘agriculture’ model and I feel the ups and downs that Beth shares in her story deep in my soul.
American Grown by Michelle Obama
I can’t lie, this book almost had me leaving the farm and volunteering myself as tribute to community gardens across Southwest Iowa. Economic realities however, reeled me back in and instead I am doubling down on raising healthy food for my community here at the farm.
In American Grown, Michelle and several others tell the story of the White House garden which Michelle spearheaded during her husband’s presidency. The garden grew into so much more than just a few vegetables for the president’s table. When the call was put out for volunteers to help tend the space, they had to create a waitlist because the community was so deeply moved by the experience of tending the soil. The stories of children connecting with the food and the land were especially touching to me.
How We Eat – The Brave New World of Food & Drink by Paco Underhill
So, this book isn’t exactly local food but it does paint a fascinating picture of our food system in general.
Paco Underhill is a food researcher that has worked around the globe. He shares the nitty gritty of how food companies influence what we buy and therefore what we eat and drink. Eye- opening is an understatement. Despite sharing some concerning details about our food system, Paco still manages to maintain an optimistic undercurrent throughout his book. I don’t often read books more than once but How We Eat is actually going on my list to re-read this winter.
Finding Freedom by Erin French
Erin French is the chef and owner of the world renowned restaurant called The Lost Kitchen. Erin’s journey to success was far from a straight line and her tenacity is inspiring. Her journey with food and the many iterations of her restaurant remind me that we can always pivot. Erin’s unconventional story inspires me to continue bringing community together via good food whenever possible.
There you have it, my 5 favorite local food books. What are some of your favorite books? Let me know in the comments!
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