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Big Hunger
Book

Big Hunger

The Unholy Alliance Between Corporate America and Anti-Hunger Groups

Andrew Fisher
MIT Press, 2018

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Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Eye Opening
  • Bold
  • Engaging

Recommendation

America’s emergency food system was meant to be a temporary fix to food insecurity. Over time, however, this “Band-Aid” approach to hunger has become entrenched — and exacerbated the very issue it aims to help, says food security expert Andrew Fisher. Fighting the root causes of hunger often goes against the interests of those in power within anti-hunger organizations, many of whom have affiliations to Fortune 500 companies, he explains. Fisher calls on anti-hunger groups to challenge the broken status quo and push for radical economic and political reform and local, sustainable food systems.

Take-Aways

  • Anti-hunger agencies are neglecting hunger’s root causes and failing to make systemic change.
  • The experience of patronizing food banks can be damaging and undignified.
  • Four key constraints limit America’s charitable food system’s ability to reduce hunger.

About the Author

Andrew Fisher has been a leader in the sustainable food movement since the mid-1990s. He co-founded the Community Food Security Coalition, an organization working to create sustainable food systems on a local and regional level.

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