Food: The New Gold

Gay, Kathlyn

3.39

64 ratings by Goodreads

ISBN 10: 0761346074 ISBN 13: 9780761346074

Publisher: Twenty-First Century Books, 2012

Did you know starvation kills more people every year than AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined? Around the world, millions of people go to bed hungry every night. Farmers and ranchers produce enough food to feed everyone, but much of that food does not get to the people who need it most. In some places, food has become a precious commodity―almost like gold.

In this book, author Kathlyn Gay explores the complicated interaction between food, business, politics, and the environment. She examines the international food aid system; giant "factory farms," which grow and slaughter animals using assembly-line techniques; and the genetic engineering of seeds, plants, and animals. These systems and practices promise to get more food to the people who need it―but the promises don't always pan out. Worse, many modern agricultural practices are harmful to the environment, to workers who product the food, and even to consumers who eat it. Gay explains that food politics will only become more complicated as Earth's climate grows warmer, bringing rising sea levels, shifting growing seasons, and shrinking freshwater supplies.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author:

Kathlyn Gay has been writing professionally since the day her daugher was born in 1957, selling her first article after she got out of the hospital. Now with over 100 books published, including "first readers," middle grade and young adult books, encyclopedias, teacher manuals, and portions of textbooks, she still finds her life enriched by writing nonfiction work focusing on social and environmental issues, culture, and history. In recent years, she has collaborated (primarily by email) with family members across the country, sons Martin and Douglas Gay and daughter Karen Hamilton. She's married to Arthur L. Gay, a retired educator. They have lived in Illinois, California, Indiana, and now Florida. Family members include two grandchildren, Nissa Beth Gay in California and Dakota Sandoval-Gay in Washington state.

Review:

"The sobering statement that one billion of the world’s population is undernourished, with millions more starving, although more than enough food is produced each year to feed everyone, is the focus of this nonfiction book for the middle grades. Using non-biased language and balanced information, this is filled with colorful maps, interesting photos, and personal commentaries, all used to succinctly explain the causes of food shortages and detail its production around the world. Topics are explained using their most essential information, without confusing or meandering subtopics or other less germane subjects. Asserting the main cause of hunger is poverty, chapters discuss food production challenges, including corporate factory farms replacing family ones; natural resource depletion; poor animal and worker treatment (a sobering section, though told rather than shown); pollution and pesticides; climate/weather factors; and genetic engineering. Also discussed are the politics surrounding food, revealing that finances are decisive and divisive. This is specifically demonstrated through school lunch systems, and in cases where food is used as a weapon, especially in poorer countries. The slim volume concludes with future food sources, such as pills and insects, reminiscent of Soylent Green, for those old enough to remember the movie. "An impressive reference section includes an extensive glossary and source notes, bibliography, books, films, Web sites, and an index. While this book may not be immediately of interest to students, it is ideal for school reports or other assignments on this topic, and middle school readers will find themselves engrossed once they begin reading this honest and interesting text."
--VOYA
(Journal)

"An intelligent examination of food that probes how it is produced, procured and delivered to consumers―or not.

While many Americans and citizens of other wealthy nations take food for granted because of its abundance and availability in seemingly endless variety year-round, millions elsewhere, even in the United States, fare terribly. Gay explores the topic of food as a commodity in a way young readers have perhaps never encountered. Writing with skill, clarity and a finely tuned sense of fairness on all sides of issues, she conveys what a complicated business getting food to the table is. The word business is not to be underestimated, as today's food culture involves multinational corporations in addition to governments and politics, science and technology, and the environment and global warming. Excellent color photographs and illuminating, easy-to-understand charts and diagrams enhance readers' comprehension. Some of this may be difficult to digest: Descriptions of the treatment of food animals before and after slaughter and the handling of industrial waste might turn some stomachs; photos of starving youngsters are heart-wrenching. Yet the outlook isn't completely dire. Gay points to optimistic news, such as the sustainable-agriculture movement, for example. Documentation is sound, though the bibliography offers few child-friendly titles―which perhaps speaks to this book's singularity.

A sobering, thought-provoking discussion that provides, yes, much food for thought." --Kirkus Reviews

(Journal)

"World hunger is not a new issue, but a heightened awareness of what we eat, how it is produced, where it comes from, and why people around the globe are still dying of starvation in this time of apparent plenty is garnering more and more attention all the time. Gay presents a solid introduction to the science, politics, and social concerns surrounding food and its production. Myriad issues are discussed, including such current topics as genetically modified foods, seed saving, agribusiness, and many, many more that affect individuals looking to eat more conscientiously as well as those trying to eradicate global hunger. The subjects are presented in a fairly balanced manner, with sources from both sides of the more controversial issues quoted and noted, though chapter titles such as 'Frankenfoods' and 'Industrial Farming: Hazardous to Your Health?' provide a glimpse at the author's leanings. Sidebars of slightly tangential, yet equally intriguing, topics, such as the Green Revolution or food recycling, supplement the primary discussion of world hunger. Photographs and diagrams are informative, and the end matter is extremely useful, especially the further-reading suggestions. Though all are likely to agree that world hunger is a problem that needs solving, there is little agreement on the best methods for reaching that solution; this title provides an accessible, up-to-date primer for interested readers." --School Library Journal

(Journal)

"An eye-catching jacket photo leads to a well researched presentation of worldwide issues related to food. Chapters explore global and American hunger, the shift from family farms to corporate farming, the dangers of industrial farming, the effects of climate change on agriculture, health risks of genetically engineered plants and animals, issues of food safety, the clash between public health and agricultural interests, and food policy for the future. While an entire book could be devoted to each topic, Gay does a fine job of presenting information on key issues along with specific examples that make them meaningful. Sidebars present topics such as food recycling and city dwellers keeping chickens. Though chapter title 'Frankenfoods' indicates a certain perspective on genetically engineered foodstuffs, Gay reports the point of view of agribusiness as well as the concerns consumers, farmers, governments, and environmental groups. Clear, color photos take readers locations as diverse as a Colorado meatpacking plant, a Kenyan maize field, and the White House organic garden. Colorful graphics include a world map indicating relative hunger levels in different countries and a chart showing household incomes and the percentage spent on food in seven nations. An informative, well documented resource on a timely topic." --starred, Booklist

(Journal)

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.