The Food and Folklore Reader

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The Food and Folklore Reader is the first comprehensive introduction to folklore methods and concepts relevant to food. Mapping the study of food through key sources in folkloristics, the forty readings span the entire discipline: from seminal works on identity and aesthetics, to innovative scholarship on contemporary food issues such as food security and culinary tourism. The book also features: - Expert commentary and comprehensive introductions to each of the books five parts by renowned folklorist and food scholar Lucy M. Long - Global coverage, with examples from the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, Jewish and Filipino culture, and much more - Questions for discussion and suggestions for further reading supporting learning and encouraging students to explore these ideas in their own work Definitive in scale and scope, this book defines the field of food and folklore for a new generation of students. An essential resource for all students in food studies, folklore studies, cultural studies, and anthropology.

Reviews

[Lucy M.] Long has culled the archives of the field, using seminal works that define folklore as well as articles that explore more contemporary issues such as food security and culinary tourism She does an admirable job covering diverse food cultures with examples from the many ethnic identities within the United States, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Jewish and Arab cultures, and many more an admirable job of collecting these articles on how to study the vast and ever growing world of food and culture chiefly from Folklores foodways perspectives. * Digest: A Journal of Foodways and Culture *
This collection is sure to appeal to students in many disciplines, and really to anyone interested in the meaning of food. Accessible but sophisticated, the chapters start with foundational work, and then show us new angles on many familiar topics, from Spam to fruitcake, and draw us into the richness of contemporary folkloristics. This book belongs on every food scholar's shelves. -- Richard Wilk, Indiana University, USA
Want to understand why food is so important Read this book. Expertly curated by Lucy Long, The Food and Folklore Reader traces the history of the field and details the depth and breadth of food in the vernacular. Appealing and accessible to the general reader, it is a must have for food studies scholars. -- Amy Bentley, New York University, USA
Folklore was one of the earliest disciplines to take food seriously and engage with popular disputations around literal taste. This excellent anthology reminds us of the insights that can be garnered in pursuing the productive methodologies and concepts in folkloristics. It is brimming with pedagogical tools for teaching about food, culture and society. -- Krishnendu Ray, New York University, USA
This is a major resource for the rapidly growing field of foodways and its study by folklorists. Opening with the pioneering work of Don Yoder in the 70s and closing with her own recent work on culinary tourism, Lucy Long casts a wide net as editor of this rich and diverse set of readings. From Jewish cuisine in the Mississippi Delta to the Dogs Eye Pie in Australia, Long leaves no stone unturned. Essential reading for understanding food worlds. -- William Ferris, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
Food and Folklore Reader is an excellent contribution to the study of food from the distinctive angle that folklore provides. * Folklore *

Author Bio

Lucy M. Long founded the non-profit Center for Food and Culture, Bowling Green, Ohio, USA, in 2007. She began developing food studies courses while teaching Folklore and Popular Culture at Bowling Green State University, Ohio, and is the author of Culinary Tourism (2004), Regional American Food Culture (2009), and numerous articles on foodways.