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Building Community Food Webs
Our current food system has decimated rural communities and confined the choices of urban consumers. Even while America continues to ramp up farm production to astounding levels, net farm income is now lower than at the onset of the Great Depression, and one out of every eight Americans faces hunger. But a healthier and more equitable food system is possible. In Building Community Food Webs , Ken Meter shows how grassroots food and farming leaders across the U.S. are tackling these challenges by constructing civic networks. Overturning extractive economic structures, these inspired leaders are engaging low-income residents, farmers, and local organizations in their quest to build stronger communities.
Community food webs strive to build health, wealth, capacity, and connection. Their essential element is building greater respect and mutual trust, so community members can more effectively empower themselves and address local challenges. Farmers and researchers may convene to improve farming practices collaboratively. Health clinics help clients grow food for themselves and attain better health. Food banks engage their customers to challenge the root causes of poverty. Municipalities invest large sums to protect farmland from development. Developers forge links among local businesses to strengthen economic trade. Leaders in communities marginalized by our current food system are charting a new path forward.
Building Community Food Webs captures the essence of these efforts, underway in diverse places including Montana, Hawai‘i, Vermont, Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, and Minnesota. Addressing challenges as well as opportunities, Meter offers pragmatic insights for community food leaders and other grassroots activists alike.
Community food webs strive to build health, wealth, capacity, and connection. Their essential element is building greater respect and mutual trust, so community members can more effectively empower themselves and address local challenges. Farmers and researchers may convene to improve farming practices collaboratively. Health clinics help clients grow food for themselves and attain better health. Food banks engage their customers to challenge the root causes of poverty. Municipalities invest large sums to protect farmland from development. Developers forge links among local businesses to strengthen economic trade. Leaders in communities marginalized by our current food system are charting a new path forward.
Building Community Food Webs captures the essence of these efforts, underway in diverse places including Montana, Hawai‘i, Vermont, Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, and Minnesota. Addressing challenges as well as opportunities, Meter offers pragmatic insights for community food leaders and other grassroots activists alike.
- GenresFoodNonfiction
304 pages, Paperback
Published April 29, 2021
6 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 1, 2023
I read this for a class and it does read like a textbook. I imagine the essay questions on the exam: Compare and contrast the food systems in Hawaii and Montana. What worked and what did not? What element of each system contributed most to its success?
But, putting that aside, if you are interested in community food webs - even a little bit - this is an excellent book to read.
But, putting that aside, if you are interested in community food webs - even a little bit - this is an excellent book to read.
June 15, 2021
A lot of wisdom in this book and many beautiful charts and the history of U.S farming in the book.
It is scaring numbers that Ken shows in the book. Net farm income is now lower than at the onset of the Great Depression, and one out of every eight Americans faces hunger.
Local is the future!
Ken is my guest on my podcast Inside Ideas and you find episode 103 here where we talk a lot about this great book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29iVj...
Or check out the below links:
https://www.innovatorsmag.com/inside-...
https://medium.com/inside-ideas/ken-m...
https://islandpress.org/books/buildin...
It is scaring numbers that Ken shows in the book. Net farm income is now lower than at the onset of the Great Depression, and one out of every eight Americans faces hunger.
Local is the future!
Ken is my guest on my podcast Inside Ideas and you find episode 103 here where we talk a lot about this great book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29iVj...
Or check out the below links:
https://www.innovatorsmag.com/inside-...
https://medium.com/inside-ideas/ken-m...
https://islandpress.org/books/buildin...
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February 17, 2025Book Review: Building Community Food Webs by Ken Meter
In “Building Community Food Webs,” Ken Meter presents a compelling narrative that challenges the conventional norms of the American food system—a system that, for too long, has perpetuated inequities and compromised health in both rural and urban landscapes. Meter’s exploration of this critical issue is not just a call to action; it is a celebration of the grassroots movements that are reshaping our relationship with food and each other.
Meter opens with a stark realization: despite the U.S. boasting high levels of farm production, the financial reality for many farmers is dire, with net farm income alarmingly lower than it was during the Great Depression. This paradox is further complicated by the persistent issue of hunger that afflicts millions of Americans. By laying this foundation, Meter establishes the urgency for reform—highlighting the disconnect between agricultural output and food access, and underscoring the need for a more resilient and equitable system.
What makes Meter’s work particularly engaging is his focus on the community as a catalyst for change. Through the concept of “food webs,” he illustrates how civic networks can be woven together to address the multifaceted challenges of the food system. These webs are not mere abstractions; they are dynamic organizations that enhance health, wealth, and social connections among residents. By fostering respect and trust, improving farming practices, and promoting self-grown food, communities can cultivate a more sustainable and nutritious future.
Meter brings this vision to life with anecdotes and case studies from various states—Montana, Hawai‘i, Vermont, Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, and Minnesota—each offering unique insights into local strategies and successes. These stories serve as both inspiration and practical roadmap for community leaders and activists striving to tackle food system disparities. The emphasis on collective action, respect for local knowledge, and innovation resonates deeply in today’s context, where traditional food systems are increasingly challenged by economic, environmental, and social upheavals.
A particularly resonant aspect of Meter’s writing is his acknowledgment of the interconnection between food security and poverty. He addresses the role of food banks not just as stopgaps but as integral components in a larger strategy to alleviate hunger and empower communities. His commitment to protecting farmland further illustrates a holistic approach, recognizing that the preservation of agricultural land is crucial for maintaining local food systems.
“Building Community Food Webs” is not just a theoretical discourse; it is an actionable guide that equips readers with the tools to effect change. Meter’s practical insights are invaluable for anyone—be it community organizers, policymakers, or concerned citizens—who wishes to understand and improve their local food systems.
In conclusion, Ken Meter’s work is a thought-provoking and necessary exploration of how we can reclaim our food systems through community empowerment and collaboration. His message is clear: a healthier, more equitable food system is not only possible but achievable if we harness the collective strength of our communities. “Building Community Food Webs” is a must-read for anyone invested in the future of food, health, and social equity. It inspires hope and offers a vision of what can be accomplished when we come together for a common cause—nourishing not just our bodies, but our communities and our environment.
In “Building Community Food Webs,” Ken Meter presents a compelling narrative that challenges the conventional norms of the American food system—a system that, for too long, has perpetuated inequities and compromised health in both rural and urban landscapes. Meter’s exploration of this critical issue is not just a call to action; it is a celebration of the grassroots movements that are reshaping our relationship with food and each other.
Meter opens with a stark realization: despite the U.S. boasting high levels of farm production, the financial reality for many farmers is dire, with net farm income alarmingly lower than it was during the Great Depression. This paradox is further complicated by the persistent issue of hunger that afflicts millions of Americans. By laying this foundation, Meter establishes the urgency for reform—highlighting the disconnect between agricultural output and food access, and underscoring the need for a more resilient and equitable system.
What makes Meter’s work particularly engaging is his focus on the community as a catalyst for change. Through the concept of “food webs,” he illustrates how civic networks can be woven together to address the multifaceted challenges of the food system. These webs are not mere abstractions; they are dynamic organizations that enhance health, wealth, and social connections among residents. By fostering respect and trust, improving farming practices, and promoting self-grown food, communities can cultivate a more sustainable and nutritious future.
Meter brings this vision to life with anecdotes and case studies from various states—Montana, Hawai‘i, Vermont, Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, and Minnesota—each offering unique insights into local strategies and successes. These stories serve as both inspiration and practical roadmap for community leaders and activists striving to tackle food system disparities. The emphasis on collective action, respect for local knowledge, and innovation resonates deeply in today’s context, where traditional food systems are increasingly challenged by economic, environmental, and social upheavals.
A particularly resonant aspect of Meter’s writing is his acknowledgment of the interconnection between food security and poverty. He addresses the role of food banks not just as stopgaps but as integral components in a larger strategy to alleviate hunger and empower communities. His commitment to protecting farmland further illustrates a holistic approach, recognizing that the preservation of agricultural land is crucial for maintaining local food systems.
“Building Community Food Webs” is not just a theoretical discourse; it is an actionable guide that equips readers with the tools to effect change. Meter’s practical insights are invaluable for anyone—be it community organizers, policymakers, or concerned citizens—who wishes to understand and improve their local food systems.
In conclusion, Ken Meter’s work is a thought-provoking and necessary exploration of how we can reclaim our food systems through community empowerment and collaboration. His message is clear: a healthier, more equitable food system is not only possible but achievable if we harness the collective strength of our communities. “Building Community Food Webs” is a must-read for anyone invested in the future of food, health, and social equity. It inspires hope and offers a vision of what can be accomplished when we come together for a common cause—nourishing not just our bodies, but our communities and our environment.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews