FOOD POLICY by Tim Lang, David Barling, Martin Caraher ( 9780198567882 )

Item Details

Title:

FOOD POLICY
INTEGRATING HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY

By:

Tim Lang, David Barling, Martin Caraher

Format:

Paperback

List price:

£73.00

Our price:

£63.88

Discount:

12.5% off

You save:

£9.12

ISBN 10:

019856788X

ISBN 13:

9780198567882

Availability:

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Stock:

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Publisher:

OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS

Pub. date:

19 March, 2009

Pages:

336

Description:

Food policy has long been viewed as an essential part of the public health agenda, but this book identifies the importance of environmental damage and social inequalities to these complex issues. The authors offer a comprehensive review of current and past food policy, proposing the need for a new ecological public health approach to food policy.

Synopsis:

For over half a century, food policy has mapped a path for progress based upon a belief that the right mix of investment, scientific input, and human skills could unleash a surge in productive capacity which would resolve humanity's food-related health and welfare problems. It assumed that more food would yield greater health and happiness by driving down prices, increasing availability, and feeding more mouths. In the 21st century, this policy mix is quietly becoming unstuck. In a world marred by obesity alongside malnutrition, climate change alongside fuel and energy crises, water stress alongside more mouths to feed, and social inequalities alongside unprecedented accumulation of wealth, the old rubric of food policy needs re-evaluation. This book explores the enormity of what the new policy mix must address, taking the approach that food policy must be inextricably linked with public health, environmental damage, and social inequalities to be effective.Written by three authors with differing backgrounds, one in political science, another in environmental health and health promotion, and the third in social psychology, this book reflects the myriad of perspectives essential to a comprehensive view of modern food policy. It attempts to make sense of what is meant by food policy; explores whether the term has any currency in current policy discourse; assesses whether current policies help or hinder what happens; judges whether consensus can triumph in the face of competing bids for understanding; looks at all levels of governance, across the range of actors in the food system, from companies and the state to civil society and science; considers what direction food policies are taking, not just in the UK but internationally; assesses who (and what) gains or loses in the making of these food policies; and identifies a modern framework for judging how good or limited processes of policy-making are. This book provides a major comprehensive review of current and past food policy, thinking and proposing the need for what the authors call an ecological public health approach to food policy. Nothing less will be fit for the 21st century.

Illustrations:

14 line drawings, and 20 tables

Publication:

Imprint:

Oxford University Press

Returns:

Returnable

Some other items by this author:

ADVANCES IN FOOD SECURITY AND SUSTAINABILITY (PB)

AGAINST THE GRAIN (PB)

DISCOURSE COMPREHENSION

ECOLOGICAL PUBLIC HEALTH