There are a ton of great books and movies on food issues and sustainability out there … and there seems to be more and more every day. Here, we offer our thoughts on a few.

Renewing America's Food Traditions
This book is not the typical Betty Crocker cookbook. In fact, there is a certain audacity credited to any book that dares to do what this book has done so well; it takes the reader on a culinary journey through history and location in North America. Renewing America's Food Traditions does this with wonderful pictures, interesting recipes, historical background, and an eye to the future of feeding the growing population with a variety of traditional foods. Read More...

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
Barbara Kingsolver and family set out on a journey to live a year eating locally, and they did just that!  Not only did they achieve this gastronomical feat, but they’ve left a compelling story for aspiring locavores everywhere.  Barbara Kingsolver, along with Steven (her husband), Camille and Lily (her 2 daughters) take the locavore lifestyle to the extreme in her newest book, “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle- A Year of Food Life.”  Read More...

Real Food Revival
What is "Real Food" and why does it need to be revived? Sherri Brooks Vinton and Ann Clark Espuelas, authors of The Real Food Revival, explain that "Real Food" is produced as locally as possible, is sustainable, affordable, and accessible — and above all, is delicious! The authors organize the book, chapter by chapter, by grocery store aisle -- from meat to produce to fish (and more), and include recipes highlighting seasonal ingredients. Read More...

Cows Unite
Sustainable Table supports the bossy bovine sisters of Cows Unite in their mission to get dairy-loving humans to choose the best organic milk. According to their Bovine Bill of Rights, this means choosing milk that comes from cows that are given the rights to pasture, sunshine, exercise, clean air, and freedom from antibiotics and toxic chemicals. Rise up! Learn more and join their movement at www.cowsunite.org.

The Real Dirt on Farmer John Film Review
This documentary tells the story of John Peterson’s turbulent but ever-evolving relationship with his family farm, his community and neighbors, and with the farm legacy that he ultimately decided was worth preserving -- even when preservation meant sweeping change.The ultimate evolution of the Illinois farm from a single-family operation into a lively and successful community farm is a unique story with an inspiring message. Read More...

King Corn Film Review
King Corn is a humorous and touching documentary about two best friends who decide to move to Iowa to grow an acre of corn – after finding out (through laboratory hair analysis) that their bodies were made primarily out of….corn.  But this is not your typical buddy picture.  While it does trace a year in the life of two friends, the film is really about the history of corn in modern America and the filmmakers’ relationship with the crop they’ve decided to grow. Read More...

Fast Food Nation Film Review
Some films are created to do more than just entertain. Fast Food Nation is one of these films, produced with the goal of educating consumers and mobilizing them to make positive change in the food system. It was created by Participant Productions, and released along with a social action campaign that draws upon the expertise of Sustainable Table and other like-minded organizations. As part of this campaign, Sustainable Table created the Meatrix II ½, the third installment of the Meatrix series, which focuses on industrial meat processing. Like the social action campaign, the film uses a combination of entertainment and information to draw in viewers, educate them about real-life issues, and mobilize them to act. Read More...

The Complete Organic Pregnancy
A woman who's thinking about having a child will often undergo a complete transformation in order to prepare her body and home in preparation for pregnancy. She'll quit smoking and drinking, improve her diet, and seek out pregnancy dos and don'ts from every mother she meets. Pregnancy is an opportunity for a woman to reform her life and seek ultimate wellness, and a new book has been written that allows women to take full advantage of that opportunity. Read More...

Grub: Ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen!
Publishers Weekly calls it "smart" and "engaging," blending a passionately argued case for how the food industry is making us sick and what we can do about it with seasonal, international, health-conscious recipes to whet your appetite. A call to arms to choose “grub” – local, sustainable, fairly made food, Grub and helps each of us get inspired to do so with hands-on tips and menus like "Afrodiasporic Cookout" (Grilled Corn and Heirloom Tomato Salad, Shrimp and Veggie Kabobs, Fresh Green Beans, Good Grilled Okra, Ginger Beer) and "Straight-Edge Punk Brunch Buffet (DIY)" (Spicy Tempeh Sausage Patties, French Toast with Blueberry Coulis). For more information, visit www.eatgrub.org.

Gaia Girls
What would you do if you could hear the earth itself asking for help?
This series chronicles the adventures of the Gaia Girls - four girls from different corners of the globe chosen by the living organism of the earth to help stop the destructive practices of human beings. Aided by elemental powers (earth, air, fire and water), the girls must find a way to help Gaia. The first book introduces us to 10 year old Elizabeth Angier who lives in Upstate NY. When she learns that her family's organic farm is threatened she must learn to use her new found Gaia powers to help her her fight against factory farming and save thousands of animals from unnecessary suffering.

Food for the Future
Food for the Future is a 12-minute documentary on the Floyd Boulevard Local Foods Market in Iowa, the state's and possibly nation's first farmers market to exclusively sell humanely raised animal products and naturally raised produce. Provides a glimpse into problems in rural America and what some people are doing about it. $25 postpaid. Make check payable to Christopher Bedford and mail to Food for the Future, c/o Christopher B. Bedford, 6543 Hancock Road, Montague MI 49437.