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Politics of Food: A New Castle County Libraries Program

Written on: October 16th, 2009 in Blog Posts

New Castle County Libraries and the Department of Community Services are planning a great program of book discussions, lectures and workshops about sustainable agriculture and healthy eating, in a number of New Castle County public libraries during the month of November.

You can download the full program brochure at this link

The booklist for the New Castle County program includes a number of titles that are also available from the Delaware Library Catalog:

• In Defense of Food, Michael Pollan (Program book)
• Food Inc.: How Industrial Food Is Making Us Sicker, Fatter, and Poorer and What You Can Do About It, Karl Weber
• Omnivore’s Dilemma, Michael Pollan
• Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Barbara Kingsolver
• Real Food: What to Eat and Why, Nina Planck
• Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health, Marion Nestle
• Harvest for Hope, Jane Goodall
• The Art of Simple Food, Alice Waters
• A Nation of Farmers: Defeating the Food Crisis on American Soil

Book Discussions at some of the New Castle County Libraries are taking place throughout the first part of November:

In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto by Michael Pollan
In The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Michael Pollan launched a national conversation about the American way of eating; now In Defense of Food he shows us how to change it, one meal at a time. Pollan proposes a new answer to the question of what we should eat that comes down to seven simple but liberating words:
“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”
Woodlawn 11/9 @ 7pm
Newark Free 11/17 @ 12noon
Claymont 11/18 @ 10am
Bear 11/18 @ 7pm
Brandywine Hundred 11/18 @ 7pm

The Omnivore’s Dilemma for Kids: The Secrets Behind What You Eat by Michael Pollan
A Discussion for Kids and Their Parents
Do you know what’s in the food you eat? Are you making healthy choices at the grocery store? Is it possible to eat healthy at the drive-through? Join us for free snacks, recipes, and ideas about how to eat and shop well , even if you’re on a budget.
Don’t forget to bring Mom and Dad. Ages 9-up.
Kirkwood 11/5 @ 4pm
Woodlawn 11/10 @ 7 pm
Brandywine Hundred 11/13 @ 3pm

Other Programs:

Buy Local From a Delaware Farmer
Judith Leith, Educator from the Delaware Department of Agriculture, will be on hand for a discussion about the benefits of buying your food locally. Learn where you can buy fresh local produce, how to calculate food miles for protecting the environment, and the possibilities of setting up local Community Supported Agriculture. Bring your questions and ideas.
Brandywine Hundred 11/2 @ 11am
Bear 11/2 @ 7pm
Woodlawn 11/3 @ 7pm

What’s All the Fuss About Whole Food Eating?

When it comes to nutrition and health, what’s the difference between whole foods and non-whole foods? We’ll review some basic nutrition information as it relates to making healthy food choices and reading labels for healthful eating. Presented by Maria Pippidis of the New Castle County Cooperative Extension.
Kirkwood 11/3 @ 7pm
Bear 11/4 @ 1pm

Understanding the Natural, Sustainable, & Organic Terms: a Consumer’s Perspective
Lynne Betts, current President of DOFFA (Delaware Organic Food & Farming Association) will address questions such as where is Delaware in the ‘organic movement’, what is sustainable agriculture, and what to ask for when purchasing healthy foods. Is ‘organic’ really all it’s cracked up to be?
Newark Free 11/9 @ 7pm
Brandywine Hundred 11/10 @ 11am
Hockessin 11/10 @ 2pm

Go Grow Your Own!
Have you thought about growing your own food, but don’t know where to start? Come learn about the basics of starting a vegetable garden in your own backyard. Learn how to prepare the beds, select vegetables to grow and when and how to grow them. Anna Stoops from the New Castle County Cooperative Extension will talk about container, raised bed and traditional gardening techniques and also touch on the basics of composting. Bring your questions; there will be ample time for open dialogue.
Hockessin 11/3 @ 3 pm
Brandywine Hundred 11/4 @ 2pm

Film and Discussion:
Supersize Me
Join Consumer Health Librarian Susan LaValley to watch the controversial documentary SuperSize Me – “An irreverent look at obesity in America and one of its sources – fast food corporations.” The film will be followed by a discussion about nutrition resources at the library and in your community.
Brandywine Hundred 11/3 @ 7 pm
Bear 11/4 @ 7 pm