Food & Faith: Justice, Joy, and Daily Bread
Edited by Michael Schut
This is a great book—a must-read for anyone who’s passions include food, Michael Schut brings together wonderful writers like Wendell Berry, M.F.K. Fisher, Elizabeth Johnson, and many more to bring us thoughtful reflections on the sacramental nature of eating. Touching on subjects like food and its connection to health, the demise of the family farm, the environmental impacts of agribusiness, and world hunger, this is an important book for Christians to read. It helps us begin to envision a Christian response to some of the most compelling issues of our time.
Designed for personal or group learning, this would be a wonderful resource for a small group, Sunday school, or as a sermon resource. Published by The Morehouse Group, this 2002 publication is a timely gift for Christians seeking a more just world.
Mindy Bowne Hancock
“Tilt the scales,
O God of the mustard seed:
That the poor shall see justice.
"Share the feast,
O God of Eden’s abundant garden:
That each crop may fetch a fair price.
"Upset the tables,
O God of the upside-down Kingdom:
That the least can benefit from their trade.
"Open our eyes,
O God of life in all its fullness:
That we may learn to walk the way of your son
tilting, sharing, upsetting this world
"Not satisfied
until the products we bring to our table
Give a better deal, to all who hunger for one.
In His name, Amen."
~ A Prayer from Fairtrade Fortnight 2001
http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/get_involved_ideas_for_churches.htm
“If we no longer believe that the Earth is sacred, or that we are blessed by the bounty around us, or that we have a caretaking responsibility given to us by the Creator…then it does not really matter to most folks how much ecological and cultural damage is done by the way we eat.”
~ Gary Paul Nabhan,
Coming Home to Eat, p. 304
http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/ Since 1946 Ten Thousand Villages has supported the work of literally tens of thousands of artisans in over 30 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, making us one the largest fair trade organizations in North America. Working with more than 100 artisan groups, we purchase fine pieces from craftspeople with whom we have longstanding, nurturing relationships…helping to bring dignity to their lives.
http://www.transfairusa.org The Fair Trade Certified label guarantees that farmers and workers received a fair price for their product. The Fair Trade price means that farmers can feed their families and that their children can go to school instead of working in the fields.
http://www.equalexchange.com/ Equal Exchange’s mission is to build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound, to foster mutually beneficial relationships between farmers and consumers, and to demonstrate, through our success, the contribution of worker cooperatives and Fair Trade to a more equitable, democratic, and sustainable world.
