Closing the Food Gap: Resetting the Table in the Land of Plenty (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: green power, closing the food gap, affordable food stores, Hartford Food System, New York City, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Having been a part of the movement since the 1970s, serving as (among other positions) the executive director of the Hartford Food System, Winne has an insider's view on what it's like to feed our country's hungry citizens. Through the lens of Hartford, Conn.—a quintessential inner city bereft of decent food options apart from bodegas and fast food chains—he explains the successes he witnessed and helped to create: community gardens, inner city farmers' markets and youth-run urban farms. Winne concludes his tale in our present food-crazed era, giving voice to low-income shoppers and exploring where they fit in with such foodie discussions as local vs. organic. In this articulate and comprehensive book, Winne points out that the greatest successes have been an informal alliance between sustainable agriculture and food security advocates... that shows promise for helping both the poor and small and medium-size farmers. For the most part it is a calm, well-reasoned and soft-spoken call to arms to fight for policy reform, rather than fill in, with community-based projects and privately funded programs, the gaps left by our city and state legislators. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

“articulate and comprehensive…a calm, well-reasoned and soft-spoken call to arms” Publishers Weekly

“Worthy fare.” Kirkus Reviews

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Product Details Hardcover: 192 pages Publisher: Beacon Press; 1 edition (January 7, 2008) Language: English ISBN-10: 0807047309 ISBN-13: 978-0807047309 Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.9 x 1 inches Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #485,798 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in this category: (What's this?) #53 in  Books > Science > Agricultural Sciences > History

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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
green power, closing the food gap, affordable food stores, food system planning, food policy council, food banking, food consciousness, community gardening, supermarket industry, food deserts, food assistance programs

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Hartford Food System, New York City, United States, New Haven, New Mexico, Big Cola, New England, Holcomb Farm, Food Stamp Program, Whole Foods, Los Angeles, African American, World War, Food Trust, New Orleans, Model Market, Knox Parks Foundation, Upper Falls, Thomas Forster, Southern California, The Hartman Group, East Harlem, Natick Community Farm, Bellevue Square, Great Depression

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	80% buy the item featured on this page: Closing the Food Gap: Resetting the Table in the Land of Plenty 4.4 out of 5 stars (10) $16.46
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Customer Reviews

10 Reviews 5 star:  (7) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.4 out of 5 stars (10 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 16 of 16 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars A fresh and engaging perspective on food justice, December 17, 2007 By  Michele Simon (Oakland, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Having read almost every book out there on food policy (and having written my own), I can safely say that Closing the Food Gap has something unique and important to offer. The author has been in the trenches and speaks from first-hand experience, which is rare to find among writers on this topic. Even though I am familiar with the many of book's issues, I thoroughly enjoyed the personal, accessible style and poignant story-telling. If you are looking for an introduction to food justice issues in the U.S., then this is the perfect doorway in. Winne takes us into a world where there are no easy solutions. But by the end, we are convinced that we must find a way to fix the deep injustices in our food system. What makes this book a critical contribution is its elegant argument for access to affordable and sustainable food for everyone. Even if you think you've read other books like it, you really haven't. Read this book and then pass it on. Michele Simon, author, Appetite for Profit: How the food industry undermines our health and how to fight back 10 of 10 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Clarion call for sane, systemic changes, January 10, 2008 By  Zy Weinberg "Food Security Consultant" (Burnet, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Mark Winne's book is a must read for those concerned about the growing poverty, hunger, and income inequality in America today. The personalized account of his journey from a comfortable, middle-class upbringing in New Jersey to community organizing in the gritty, underserved neighborhoods of Hartford, Connecticut is witty and informative, demonstrating why he has become a leader in this nation's food security movement. Winne's claim that our current "food system is racist, classist, and sexist" is supported by his well-documented experience in Hartford. He doesn't let any of the powers that be off the hook, from "the mean-spirited ideologues" who have, at times, dammed the federal assistance pipeline to corporate junk food purveyors who he says should be tried and sentenced "to eat nothing but their own food for twenty-five years to life" and even to food bankers who "will do virtually anything to appease [their corporate] donors." His clarion call for bolstering sane, systemic changes in local food structures - like farmers' markets, community gardens, and community supported agriculture - rings true. 8 of 8 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Read this Book!, February 5, 2008 By  David King "a Fellah Who Reads a lot..." (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    The other two reviewers who give Mr. Winne a five star rating are telling the truth. He has written a truly readable and practical book that is accessible, and yet is is not a simpleton's introduction to the world of hunger and food insecurity in America. We are presented the challenge of preventing hunger from existing in this rich nation and Mark Winne, from years of experience in the field, shows us some of the steps we need to take. Read this book.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Informative, engaging and empowering book on hunger in America I was assigned Winne's book for a class that I am taking on urban food systems and I could not put it down. Read more Published 1 month ago by A. Hanson 2.0 out of 5 stars Great idea, bad writing. With all respect to Mr. Winne's argument, his writing is boring and droll. I did not enjoy his book at all, and dreaded having to read it for my college English class. Read more Published 1 month ago by Lit Dude 4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book This book gives an excellent picture of the food and hunger crisis in this country. It's easy to forget with one third of our population being obese that there are also many who... Read more Published 6 months ago by Nicholas 5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging and Informative I just happened to see this book at my local farmer's market and I am very thankful to Mark Winne for sharing his experiences and ideas. Read more Published 7 months ago by K. Nally 5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Book This book is probably the best descriptor of how our food systems end up leaving out those in poverty. Extremely well written. Read more Published 9 months ago by New Orleans Farmer 3.0 out of 5 stars Lost me at the last chapter I've had the privilege of attending a food policy workshop at which Mr. Winne was the guest speaker. The man has a lot of experience in a wide range of food policy issues. Read more Published 13 months ago by Laurie J. Neverman 5.0 out of 5 stars Points well taken Winne has authored a brilliant treatise on the real issues surrounding food insecurity in The US. With tremendous real world experience, Winne puts a human face on the problems... Read more Published 19 months ago by Gregory J. Oberschmidt Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Beacon Press; 1 edition (January 7, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807047309
• ISBN-13: 978-0807047309
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #485,798 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #53 in

  Books > Science > Agricultural Sciences > History

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fresh and engaging perspective on food justice, December 17, 2007

By	Michele Simon (Oakland, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Having read almost every book out there on food policy (and having written my own), I can safely say that Closing the Food Gap has something unique and important to offer. The author has been in the trenches and speaks from first-hand experience, which is rare to find among writers on this topic. Even though I am familiar with the many of book's issues, I thoroughly enjoyed the personal, accessible style and poignant story-telling. If you are looking for an introduction to food justice issues in the U.S., then this is the perfect doorway in. Winne takes us into a world where there are no easy solutions. But by the end, we are convinced that we must find a way to fix the deep injustices in our food system. What makes this book a critical contribution is its elegant argument for access to affordable and sustainable food for everyone. Even if you think you've read other books like it, you really haven't. Read this book and then pass it on.

Michele Simon, author, Appetite for Profit: How the food industry undermines our health and how to fight back

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clarion call for sane, systemic changes, January 10, 2008

By	Zy Weinberg "Food Security Consultant" (Burnet, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Mark Winne's book is a must read for those concerned about the growing poverty, hunger, and income inequality in America today. The personalized account of his journey from a comfortable, middle-class upbringing in New Jersey to community organizing in the gritty, underserved neighborhoods of Hartford, Connecticut is witty and informative, demonstrating why he has become a leader in this nation's food security movement.

Winne's claim that our current "food system is racist, classist, and sexist" is supported by his well-documented experience in Hartford. He doesn't let any of the powers that be off the hook, from "the mean-spirited ideologues" who have, at times, dammed the federal assistance pipeline to corporate junk food purveyors who he says should be tried and sentenced "to eat nothing but their own food for twenty-five years to life" and even to food bankers who "will do virtually anything to appease [their corporate] donors." His clarion call for bolstering sane, systemic changes in local food structures - like farmers' markets, community gardens, and community supported agriculture - rings true.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this Book!, February 5, 2008

By	David King "a Fellah Who Reads a lot..." (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The other two reviewers who give Mr. Winne a five star rating are telling the truth. He has written a truly readable and practical book that is accessible, and yet is is not a simpleton's introduction to the world of hunger and food insecurity in America. We are presented the challenge of preventing hunger from existing in this rich nation and Mark Winne, from years of experience in the field, shows us some of the steps we need to take.

Read this book.