Critical Food Issues [2 Volumes]: Problems and State-of-the-Art Solutions Worldwide

Front Cover
Bloomsbury Academic, Sep 3, 2009 - Business & Economics - 584 pages

This authoritative, research-based collection examines urgent threats to future global food security and evaluates current and potential solutions.
Critical Food Issues: Problems and State-of-the-Art Solutions Worldwide examines 31 crucial areas of concern, from soil degradation, depletion of water for irrigation, and loss of biodiversity to declining rural livelihoods, hunger and obesity, unjust farm labor practices, and farm animal mistreatment.

Critical Food Issues divides its coverage into two exhaustive volumes, one on bioenvironmental topics and one with a sociocultural focus. Throughout, highly accomplished experts from a variety of academic backgrounds review the current state of research on specific problems, then identify strategies for confronting those problems that balance sustainable agrifood systems with environmental stewardship, healthy people, and equitable communities. At a time of increasing public outcries over the quality of food and the impact of agrifood production on long-term environmental and human well-being, Critical Food Issues offers an authoritative and comprehensive basis on which producers, consumers, and citizens can make more informed decisions about the future of food.

  • 31 essays in two volumes--one on environmental, agricultural, and health concerns, and one on topics related to society, culture, and ethics.
  • 41 contributors from a wide range of disciplines including environmental, nutritional, soil, and agricultural sciences, medicine and dietetics, education, literature, history, philosophy, economics, sociology, anthropology, and gender studies
  • Tables presenting important statistical data concerning food growth and distribution, health concerns, and economic issues
  • A comprehensive glossary including important acronyms and abbreviations