Food and Eating in America

This book explores over 500 years of American history through the lens of food, emphasizing its cultural and social significance.

This insightful volume guides readers through a rich tapestry of American history as seen through the lens of food and eating. Food and Eating in America presents a diverse range of primary sources that span the cultivation, preparation, marketing, and consumption of food from pre-colonial times to the present day. The authors have organized the material around the concept of the “Four P’s”—production, politics, price, and preference—illustrating how food serves as a reflection of broader social dynamics beyond mere sustenance.

The documents included in Food and Eating in America reveal that the food we consume is a “highly condensed social fact,” shaped by various factors such as politics, economics, culture, religion, race, class, and gender. Covering over 500 years of history, the book delves into topics such as the significance of food in early America, the transformations in farming and food production, and the emergence of counterculture cuisines.

This documentary reader features voices from a wide array of perspectives, including Native Americans, explorers, and immigrants, showcasing the multifaceted role of food in American society. Through speeches, letters, and other primary sources, the book offers a unique way to explore how food has influenced and reflected the lives of people throughout history. Food and Eating in America is an essential resource for students of history and anyone interested in the cultural significance of food.