Great! ( )

The Stop is the story of a food bank in a low-income area of Toronto that became more than just a food bank. but the start of a movement to bring good quality food to all communities. One of the big concerns with the modern food industry is that low-income people don't have access or the income in order to eat healthily which leads to health issues as well as other issues (the chapter where the authors describe living off a food bank hamper for a week is very telling), meanwhle so much food goes to waste. Food banks have been a band aid since they were introduced in the 1980s - they were only supposed to be temporary. This was a very eye-opening read and good reading for anyone that cares about social justice. ( )

This is an inspirational book about a highly successful community food centre in Toronto, The Stop, that started off as a traditional food bank. It is presented in author Nick Saul's voice, even though it was co-written with his spouse.

When Saul took over management of The Stop, he initiated a number of controversial changes, such as turning down food donations that were deemed unhealthy. The main ideas he tried to instill were that impoverished people deserved as much as everyone else to have tasty and healthy food, that giving them such food would save the government money by reducing health-care costs, and that food can be used to promote a sense of community. Some of the programs started at The Stop include community gardens, after-school cooking classes for kids, multicultural themed dinners, and prenatal nutrition classes.

As well as telling the story of The Stop, Saul also discusses at length the role of the food bank in society and the reasons for moving away from the current model that exists in most urban centres in Canada. He argues that the way most food banks operate tends to diminish the dignity of the people who must use them. Instead, The Stop attempts to serve them in a more respectful and empowering way.

I highly recommend this book if you are interested in the politics of food. Some parts are a little tedious and preachy, but the personal stories are enjoyable, and the discussion of the logistical aspects of delivering healthy food to so many people is very interesting. I was also happy to learn that Jamie Oliver had given The Stop his endorsement. ( )