These books (EN, IT and NL) have been a huge inspiration in my search to get a grasp of the dynamics of our food system in combination with sustainability. No soundbites or populistic one-liners but indebt knowledge, insight and nuances. I hope they inspire you as well and would love to hear about additional reads from you!
The books in random order:
Eating to Extinction
Dan Saladino
This is a compelling collection of short stories of the world’s most endangered foods and why we should care about there future. Dan Saladino is a truly great storyteller, making this an easy and inspiring read for everybody.
Hamburgers in Paradise & Ons Voedsel
Louise O. Fresco
Louise O. Fresco is someone I really admire. She has dedicated her life to trying to eradicate hunger and feed the world. Her career is impressive from being present in the fields of Africa, academic positions at universities such as WUR and UvA and numerous advisory and other roles with for instance the UN. Some of the enormous amount of knowledge gathered can be found in her books. All are absolutely packed with knowledge and nuances. A reasonably accessible book is “Ons Voedsel” (NL only) and – according to me – her masterpiece: “Hamburgers in Paradise”. Take your time with that last one!
Hamburgers in Paradise: NL – EN
Ons Voedsel: NL
The Wizard and the Prophet
Charles C. Mann
In general there are 2 main visions for humanities future: one driven by innovation and technology (“the Wizard”), and the other by conservation and limits (“the Prophet”). Mann explores both and helps readers understand the deep divide shaping environmental debates.
Boter, Kaas en Havermelk
Joris Lohman
Building on the visions and contradictions explored in Charles C. Mann’s The Wizard and the Prophet, Lohman brings this global debate to the current Dutch and European context. He challenges readers to look beyond and explore the messy, political realities of transforming food systems. Lohman encourages active engagement rather than passive consumption.
Boter, Kaas en Havermelk: NL
Moral Ambition
Ruther Bregman
This is somewhat an odd duck in the list since it has no exclusive connection with food, but it’s a bold call to action for people who want to make a real difference in the world. The book combines moral philosophy with practical examples, making it both thought-provoking and empowering. And that is relevant for food sustainability as well…
The Omnivore’s Dilemma
Michael Pollan
Pollan follows four meals from source to plate, uncovering the hidden systems behind industrial agriculture, organic farming, and foraging. More than a book about eating, it’s a journey into the heart of our food system that empowers readers to make informed, conscious decisions.
The Omnivore’s Dilemma: EN
Worstelingen
Samuel Levie
A personal and openhearted struggle of a sausage maker (amongst other things). He explores in his manifesto Worstelingen how our meat consumption can have gone so far, whether he is still on the right track as a sausage maker and comes up with tips that he thinks everyone, from vegan to inveterate meat eater, can contribute to a healthier food system.
Worstelingen: NL
How the World Eats
Julian Baggini
Without preaching or prescribing a “correct” diet, he invites nuanced thinking about pleasure, sustainability, and tradition in our eating habits. This book is perfect for food lovers, cultural explorers, and anyone seeking a better understanding of how food connects us.
How the World Eats: EN
The next books are more reference (guides) than reading books, but are more than relevant enough to be mentioned:
The Ark Of Taste
Slow Food
The Ark of Taste is a living catalogue of many nation’s food heritage preserving treasures passed down for generations—some rare, some endangered, all delicious. It’s not just a catalogue—it’s a call to preserve biodiversity, heritage, and flavour. By telling the stories of these unique foods, The Ark of Taste invites readers and online visitors to reconnect with local traditions and become stewards of culinary diversity. Online in many languages available. Great source of inspiration when trying to (re-)connect with your heritage!
Surplus: The Food Waste Guide for Chefs
Vojtech Vegh
Végh is one of the foremost food waste reduction advocates around and has written this book as a guide for the professional chef to effectively reduce waste in their kitchens. But it is interesting for home chefs as well; it provides a practical and different viewpoint on menu creation and workflow.
Surplus: The Food Waste Guide for Chefs: EN
This is my personal reading list, which obviously is missing a lot of other good reads. I would love to hear about those and take my journey further. So, please leave any tips in the comments!
Note: I have created this list independently. No contact or fee of any kind was involved.
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