How do customs surrounding the preparation and consumption of food define minorities within a population? The question receives fascinating and multifaceted answers in this book, which considers a smorgasbord of dishes that sustain group identity and often help to bridge inter-group barriers. The essays explore the symbolic meaning of sharing foodways in interpreting inter- and intra-group behavior, with attention to theoretical problems and implications of foodways research for public policy. Topics receiving rewarding analysis in this volume include food festivals, modes of food preparation, meal cycles, seasonal celebrations, nutrition education, and the U.S. government's inattention to ethnic customs in formulating its food policies.