School Food, Equity and Social Justice

"No other collection so deeply and widely covers the international and transnational contexts of school food provision, especially not as this one does in considering the social and political work done by school meals. This book moves the field dramatically forward in understanding what we mean when we talk about social justice in school food.The contributors point out an impressively comprehensive array of dynamics that fall under the umbrella of social justice, including ecological sustainability, decolonization, hunger and food insecurity, gender bias, and so much more. This tremendous volume’s cataloging of social justice aspects both underscores the importance of context in national school food provision and—perhaps more importantly—should inspire researchers to go back and make sure they haven’t missed those dynamics at work in their own locales."

-Marcus Weaver-Hightower Professor, Foundations of Education, Virginia Tech

"Imagine school meals that were seen as an integral part of the school day, connected to education and all students eating together and enjoying food that is nourishing and teaches them about food, science, social studies and culture in meaningful ways. That is the vision of School Food, Equity and Social Justice: Critical Reflections and Perspectives. And this vision is beautifully accomplished by examining the construction and enactment of school food policies and politics; exploring how an equitable and just school meals program can be sustainable and how that looks different in different countries and cultures; and exploring how school meals can be seamlessly woven into teaching and learning. I hope that educators, policy makers, school food service directors, and anyone who cares about today's school students reads this book and transforms their school meals, so they are a joyful and nourishing part of each and every school day."

Pamela A. Koch, Mary Swartz Rose, Associate Professor of Nutrition Education