" From the farm to the fork" the story unfolds to gripping disturbing climax.
Book review- Raj Patel’s Stuffed and starved
A book that is not to be trusted simply by its non flashy cover.
A book so well written about food that it initiates self introspection about how we never question some of the basic things in life like why have started eating cauliflower even in the winters when its used to be available only during the summers! Or why is mommy and dady now purchasing groceries from that mall by burning 1 litre of gas when they used to buy the same from the local grocery shop earlier when we were kids?
Patel has made a non fiction book so curiously unlike a work of non fiction which ends up boring and not worth perusing once put down.
Replete with examples from around the globe on movements trying to put this huge agroindustry accountable for its deeds the book simply talks about food. Its not a foodie’s delight but a nightmare which maybe every foodie might have consciously buried in those Mc donalds high fat and sugar low priced burger’s mayonnaise.
What will you do if you come to know that the chicken you relish in that burger was fed soybean and bonemeal and meat to make it grow fat faster than you gain that 2 ounce on your waist.
The book is must read for all those who have just got bored of reading fiction, acdemic books that lack taste and inclination to be read.
A severe critique of the growing capitalism that has kidnapped justice to perpetuate inequality by stacking the shelves of a supermarket with unnecessary items that travel thousands of miles at a huge cost to the environment but still cant stop the producer from a suicide.
Its about middle men or middle level stranglers who dominate the market and create an illusion of market competitiion only to produce the illegitimate child born out of behind the door connivance of MNCs and food industry giants.
The book demands the present generation to give up the frenzy and addiction for fast “fat” food with juice of culinary experiences to savour the taste of food that is grown locally that is free from the love of the pesticide industry. It demands appreciation of the seasonality that was present in fruits and vegetables over purchasing impulse foods kept in the windows of supermarkets.
A great deal of introspection followed by steps which have to be taken on not only an individual level but on a community level is what distinguishes this book from any other jargon on facts.
Finally all this also requires a desire to spend time over knowing where ones food comes from as well as the patience of making something which is preservative and processing free yet far more nutritious.
Patel has played the devil’s advocate but it seems that is the only route by which change can usher in!
Knowledge is the weapon that can be powerful in the hands of customers like us who simply blame the poor for being lazy not knowing how ignorant we ourselves are of the tactics of the food mafia.
Mr. Patel is not a man of few words but the words he has are nonetheless sharp as blade.
Book review- Raj Patel’s Stuffed and starved
A book that is not to be trusted simply by its non flashy cover.
A book so well written about food that it initiates self introspection about how we never question some of the basic things in life like why have started eating cauliflower even in the winters when its used to be available only during the summers! Or why is mommy and dady now purchasing groceries from that mall by burning 1 litre of gas when they used to buy the same from the local grocery shop earlier when we were kids?
Patel has made a non fiction book so curiously unlike a work of non fiction which ends up boring and not worth perusing once put down.
Replete with examples from around the globe on movements trying to put this huge agroindustry accountable for its deeds the book simply talks about food. Its not a foodie’s delight but a nightmare which maybe every foodie might have consciously buried in those Mc donalds high fat and sugar low priced burger’s mayonnaise.
What will you do if you come to know that the chicken you relish in that burger was fed soybean and bonemeal and meat to make it grow fat faster than you gain that 2 ounce on your waist.
The book is must read for all those who have just got bored of reading fiction, acdemic books that lack taste and inclination to be read.
A severe critique of the growing capitalism that has kidnapped justice to perpetuate inequality by stacking the shelves of a supermarket with unnecessary items that travel thousands of miles at a huge cost to the environment but still cant stop the producer from a suicide.
Its about middle men or middle level stranglers who dominate the market and create an illusion of market competitiion only to produce the illegitimate child born out of behind the door connivance of MNCs and food industry giants.
The book demands the present generation to give up the frenzy and addiction for fast “fat” food with juice of culinary experiences to savour the taste of food that is grown locally that is free from the love of the pesticide industry. It demands appreciation of the seasonality that was present in fruits and vegetables over purchasing impulse foods kept in the windows of supermarkets.
A great deal of introspection followed by steps which have to be taken on not only an individual level but on a community level is what distinguishes this book from any other jargon on facts.
Finally all this also requires a desire to spend time over knowing where ones food comes from as well as the patience of making something which is preservative and processing free yet far more nutritious.
Patel has played the devil’s advocate but it seems that is the only route by which change can usher in!
Knowledge is the weapon that can be powerful in the hands of customers like us who simply blame the poor for being lazy not knowing how ignorant we ourselves are of the tactics of the food mafia.
Mr. Patel is not a man of few words but the words he has are nonetheless sharp as blade.
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