Download	Size
	2013_Spring_Backgrounder_-_Farm_Bill_Fiasco_FINAL.pdf	1.26 MB

Deciding how America will nourish itself and sustain its farms would seem a top policy priority— yet as the US Farm Bill demonstrates, sustainably grown, healthy food and livable incomes for farmers and workers remain an afterthought in a process controlled almost entirely by agribusiness and a handful of farm-state legislators. Despite strong public opinion supporting local food, farmer’s markets, organic agriculture, food workers’ rights and access to fresh produce, agribusiness and commodity interests continue to dominate food and farming policy.

	Download	Size
	2012-13_Winter_Backgrounder_-_Land_Grabs_vs._Land_Sovereignty_vol_18_number_4.pdf	301.17 KB

By Eric Holt-Giménez

	Download	Size
	Fall_2012_Backgrounder_-_Microfinance_Crisis.pdf	402.36 KB

Microcredit has often been presented as an archetypal tool for addressing rural poverty. By placing small loans directly into the hands of women, proponents have argued that microcredit is able to achieve two feats simultaneously. First, it tackles poverty by unleashing the entrepreneurial abilities of the rural poor. Second, it breaks down patriarchal barriers by empowering women. Portrayed as a simple, progressive and effective development intervention, there seemed little to dislike about microcredit.

	Download	Size
	Summer_2012_Survival_Pending_Revolution.pdf	663.13 KB

Over the past decade, the US food movement has grown to become a potent force for social change. Precisely because of its success, the movement now is being called to shore up the status quo. Revisiting some radical roots suggests ways that the food movement can end hunger in America, rather than becoming just another band-aid alleviating poverty.

	Download	Size
	Spring_2012_Backgrounder_-_Beyond_Voting_with_your_Fork-_From_Enlightened_Eating_to_Movement_Building.pdf	686.78 KB

By Josh Viertel, Slow Food USA

When I talk to a crowd of people who are new to the food movement, I often begin by asking them, “How many of you have committed an agricultural act in the last 24 hours? Please raise your hand.” In crowds of over 200 people, I usually see about six hands go up. I call on them: “What did you do?” “I watered my tomatoes.” “I mowed my lawn.” Occasionally, I’m surprised to hear that someone collected eggs from a backyard chicken coop, but most of the time, there are a few home gardeners in the audience, and that’s it.

	Download	Size
	The_struggle_for_food_justice_in_Fair_Trade_2011-12.pdf	575.5 KB

By Christopher M. Bacon, Kaelin Holland and Eric S. George

Cartoon copyright by John Klossner 2011. Originally from Small Farmer big change.

By Eric Holt-Giménez and Annie Shattuck

	Download	Size
	Agroecology_Summer_2011_Bkgrdr_with_notes.pdf	377.37 KB

Agriculture is at a crossroads. For almost 40 years neither the private sector nor governments have invested in agricultural research. In recent years, agrifood companies have increased direct and vertical capital investment to lower costs and ensure the long-term viability of supplies. The global food price crisis of 2007-2008 is now pushing governments to act.

Open the attached to read the entire backgrounder.

	Download	Size
	Grabbing_Food_Deserts_Spring_2011_Backgrounder.pdf	6.52 MB

By Yi Wang with Eric Holt-Giménez and Annie Shattuck

Note
This Food First Backgrounder has an unfortunate title. The term "food