Foodtopia

What if growing food could also grow a better world? Foodtopia is a food history book that explores how five generations of American dreamers—from Transcendentalists to modern-day farmers—sought peace, equality, and sustainability through small-scale farming. Author Margot Anne Kelley weaves history, personal reflection, and interviews to reveal the enduring belief that food can transform society. From Brook Farm to today’s young farmers fighting for food justice, this book shows how each movement responded to its era’s crises with a return to the land—not as escape, but as action. Winner of the Readable Feast Book Award for Socially Conscious Writing, Foodtopia is essential reading for anyone curious about sustainable living, food justice, or the power of community. What Readers Will Learn: —The deep connection between food, freedom, and social justice across generations. —How past utopian movements shaped today’s sustainable agriculture and local food systems. —Inspiring stories of resilience, from 19th-century homesteaders to BIPOC and queer farmers leading today’s Good Food Movement. —Practical and philosophical insights into living more intentionally and sustainably. Perfect for anyone wondering if there’s a better way to live—and eat. Today, food has become an important element of the social justice movement. Food is no longer just about what we eat, but about how our food is raised and who profits along the way. Kelley looks closely at the efforts of young farmers now growing heirloom pigs, culturally appropriate foods, and newly bred vegetables, along with others working in coalitions, advocacy groups, and educational programs to extend the reach of this era’s Good Food Movement. Foodtopia is for anyone interested in how we all might lead much better—and well-fed—lives.