Gather 'Round the Table: Food Literacy Programs, Resources, and Ideas for Libraries

by Hillary Dodge

Overview

Food is more than just a basic human need--learning about it and enjoying it can be important social activities. With ties to information needs, social justice, and the maker movement, food literacy initiatives are a natural fit for libraries. And, as this book demonstrates, efforts can extend far beyond a hearty collection of cookbooks in the stacks. Food programming such as cooking can be an important tool in helping English language learners discover a practical use for a new language, as well as providing opportunities for socialization and conversation. It can be used to help GED seekers practice basic math. And, playing with food can be a sensory-integrative way to help new parents and their babies learn about healthy food choices. Featuring a multi-pronged approach to incorporating food literacy in public, school, and special libraries, this all-in-one resource

presents a definition of food literacy that shows how the concept touches upon important topics such as culinary skills, food security, nutrition and dieting, food allergies, health literacy, and food ethics;

discusses the community impacts of food-related issues;

walks readers through planning and undertaking a community food assessment, a process that can be used to identify a need, justify a service response, build buy-in and engagement, and plan for the allocation of resources;

shares a variety of innovative food literacy programs drawn from libraries across the country, from cookbook and recipe clubs to an edible education garden, teen cooking classes, and offsite cooking demos; and

provides information about additional resources and reference sources relating to the culinary world, including advice on collection development.

Serving up a wholesome combination of food literacy information and ideas, this book will encourage members of your community to gather 'round the table at the library.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780838946299
Publisher:	American Library Association
Publication date:	01/15/2020
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Hillary Dodge is an author, editor, and librarian. She has worked in the library and information science field for over 15 years, most recently as the Director for the North Region with the Pikes Peak Library District in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 2016, Hillary and her husband quit their jobs to relocate their family to South America to pursue a culinary research project. This project would take them to the ends of the earth (literally, to Tierra del Fuego), in search of the best home-cooked food of Chile. Their travels are detailed in their forthcoming cookbook, The Chilean Family Table. Additional titles publications by Hillary include Careers for Tech Girls in Digital Publishing and The Evolution of Medical Technology, both with Rosen Publishers, 2018. She regularly presents at library workshops and conferences and is a member of several professional organizations, including the Colorado Association of Libraries, the American Library Association, the Public Library Association, and the Horror Writers Association.

Table of Contents

Preface How This Book Came About
Introduction Come and Get It!

Part I "From Soup to Nuts"

• Chapter 1 What Is Food Literacy?
• Chapter 2 Food Movements Every Librarian Should Know
• Chapter 3 A Primer to the Field of Culinary Arts

Part II “Take the Cake”

• Chapter 4 The Community Food Assessment
• Chapter 5 Food Literacy Quick-Start Guide

Part III “The Proof Is in the Pudding”

• Chapter 6 Short Orders
• Chapter 7 House Specials

Conclusion Go Forth and Bake It
Appendixes

• Appendix A Collection Development
• Appendix B Tools for the Community Food Assessment
• Appendix C Interactive Websites, Tool Kits, and MOOCs

About the Contributors
Index