IST 605: Food Studies and Social Justice LibGuide

Black Food Matters is a collection of essays that examine the challenges that Black Americans face in the food system, emphasizing inequities in nutrition and access to resources. The book is centered on Black perspectives and focuses on agency and resilience. Essay topics include the legacy of the Black Panthers' food justice programs, Black women's leadership in urban farming, and traditional practices like animal husbandry in South Carolina. Black Food Matters is a valuable resource for understanding the intersection of food, race, and history and provides some needed insights for students and researchers interested in social justice, food equity, and cultural studies.

(2020). Black Food Matters: Racial Justice in the Wake of Food Justice. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. https://muse.jhu.edu/book/78623.

The Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of Innovative Strategies to Reduce Food Insecurity among Children in the United States examines if the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) of 2010 helped fight childhood hunger, by reviewing five projects, including programs that increased SNAP benefits, delivered food boxes, and expanded school meal options. The study highlights the challenges of ending childhood hunger and gives ideas for future policies. It’s a helpful resource for learning how public programs can address hunger and promote social justice.

Burke, M., Singh, A., Berman, D., & Law, K. (2021). The Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of Innovative Strategies to Reduce Food Insecurity among Children in the United States. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 121, Issue 1, S5 - S8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2020.10.025

Feeding the Other: Whiteness, Privilege, and Neoliberal Stigma in food pantries by Rebecca De Souza examines how food pantries in the United States stigmatize their clients by promoting ideas like hard work and self-help instead of focusing on food justice and equity. De Souza calls this “neoliberal stigma,” which blames individuals for hunger rather than addressing systemic issues like poverty and inequality.  De Souza focuses on the experiences of those facing hunger and critiques how public institutions and volunteers often perpetuate harmful narratives. Feeding the Other is an important resource for researchers, faculty, and students in understanding the social, cultural, and systemic injustices that contribute to food insecurity, highlighting the urgent need to work to dismantle systemic food inequity.

Food and Inequality highlights the role of food systems in shaping inequalities in society while exploring how food production, distribution, and consumption are connected to issues like racism, capitalism, and colonialism. The article also examines food access, focusing on "food deserts," food justice movements, and the barriers faced by marginalized communities in accessing healthy, culturally appropriate food. In addition, the author examines food sovereignty, advocating for local control over food systems and sustainable practices, particularly for Indigenous and small-scale farmers. Thus, by linking food systems to health, culture, and social justice, the article highlights the need for systemic change to create equity and foster resilience. For researchers and other information seekers, the material discussed in the article helps us to understand the connection between food and food systems to broader societal issues.

Shostak, S. (2023). Food and Inequality. Annual Review of Sociology, 49(1), 359–378. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-031021-112747

 Food Justice Scholar-Activism and Activist-Scholarship: Working Beyond Dichotomies to Deepen Social Justice Praxis This article examines the challenges and opportunities in food justice work. The authors focus on community-based efforts, especially in minority communities, while pointing out gaps in academic research, and exploring how scholars apply food justice theories in real life. The authors discuss the connection between research and activism and how food geography plays a role in this work. This article is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand how food justice can help make a more equitable society. Students, researchers, or activists who are looking to combine theory with action, might find this article useful in their practices, and advocacy.

Reynolds, K., Block, D., & Bradley, K. (2018). Food Justice Scholar-Activism and Activist-Scholarship: Working Beyond Dichotomies to Deepen Social Justice Praxis. ACME: An International Journal for Critical Geographies, 17(4), 988–998. https://libproxy.albany.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,sso&db=asn&AN=132923613&site=ehost-live

Improving Unequal Food Access Requires Understanding and Addressing the Social Inequalities That Contribute to It This book examines the increasing reliance on dollar stores in rural communities as grocery stores close, particularly affecting rural Black households and Southern communities. It highlights how this shift impacts food-shopping behaviors and public health, with dollar stores providing affordability and convenience but often lacking healthy food options. The authors argue that addressing food insecurity requires understanding structural inequalities, such as racism and economic disinvestment, that shape rural food systems. They stress the importance of community involvement and systemic solutions to improve food access and equity. This article is valuable for researchers and policymakers studying food access and public health.

Bowen, S., & Hardison-Moody, A. (2023). Improving Unequal Food Access Requires Understanding and Addressing the Social Inequalities That Contribute to It. American Journal of Public Health (1971), 113(4), 353–355. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307243

A Protective Association between SNAP Participation and Educational Outcomes Among Children of Economically Strained Households by a study conducted by Nisha Beharie, Micaela Mercado and Mary McKay examine how cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) affect impoverished children. The authors found that children participating in SNAP were less likely to repeat a grade, showing that the program may help improve educational outcomes. This article highlights the connection between food assistance programs and broader issues such as educational equity and poverty reduction. It serves as a valuable resource for those studying food-related social justice issues, emphasizing the importance of public policy in achieving better societal outcomes.

Beharie, N., Mercado, M., & McKay, M. (2017). A Protective Association between SNAP Participation and Educational Outcomes Among Children of Economically Strained Households. Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition, 12(2), 181–192.https://doi.org/10.1080/19320248.2016.1227754

Understanding the Food Insecurity Experiences of College Students: A Qualitative Inquiry examines how hunger impacts college students' academic performance, mental health, and daily lives. The study interviews 23 students and identifies key themes, including coping strategies, and the stress of balancing food and finances. The subject also share their experience of food insecurity on campus. The study highlights the significant negative effects of food insecurity on students’ well-being and academic success. It underscores the need for systemic changes in higher education to address food insecurity and provides valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and researchers seeking to support students and promote equity.

Stebleton, M.J., Lee, C.K., & Diamond, K.K. (2020). Understanding the Food Insecurity Experiences of College Students: A Qualitative Inquiry. The Review of Higher Education 43(3), 727-752. https://dx.doi.org/10.1353/rhe.2020.0005.