Bibliography on Structural Racism in the United States Food System Newly Updated

The newly updated annotated bibliography offers briefings on 55 recent peer-reviewed and critiqued literature publications of national, regional, and local scope.

Contact:
Rich Pirog, MSU Center for Regional Food Systems: (517) 353-0694, rspirog@msu.edu
Andrea Sexton, MSU Center for Regional Food Systems: (517) 432-0283, sextona1@msu.edu


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Bibliography on Structural Racism in the United States Food System Newly Updated

55 new citations added to comprehensive annotated bibliography on structural racism present across the U.S. food system

EAST LANSING, Michigan – A newly updated annotated bibliography offers briefings on peer-reviewed and critiqued literature publications of national, regional, and local scope. 

“It is critical for those of us studying about or working in the local and regional food systems space – most of whom are white – to increase our awareness and understanding of the profound impact structural racism has had on our U.S. food system,” said Rich Pirog, Director of Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems, “This newly updated bibliography provides the reader a foundation from which to learn and communicate with peers about how to identify and address this racism as it presents itself in our food system”

Published by the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems, An Annotated Bibliography on Structural Racism Present in the U.S. Food System, cites and annotates literature that explores structural racism both broadly across the U.S. food system as well as in specific food system sectors. The publication also includes commentaries on and analysis of the influence and pervasiveness of “whiteness” in the local food movement.

The focus on structural racism is unique.

“Centering structural racism makes it possible for food system workers and researchers to get to the root of the problems of access, inequity and disparities in the food system, which are very real physical symptoms of greater issues embedded in the structures of food systems,” said Jane Henderson, a senior at the University of San Diego and 2016 Michigan State University Summer Research Opportunity Program participant.

“As an undergraduate student interested in food justice and food systems research, this bibliography was an invaluable tool for me to get acquainted with the expansive work already being done on issues of race and food. The bibliography allowed me to expand on previous work, rather than recreate the wheel, which is crucial in pushing forward and gaining momentum in the struggle to end racism in the food system,” Henderson said.

Citations for the annotated bibliography were collected via a nationwide request sent through networks of food systems practitioners, researchers, educators, and scholars. This is the fourth edition of the publication since its initial release in January 2015.

Find  An Annotated Bibliography on Structural Racism Present in the U.S. Food System at: http://foodsystems.msu.edu/resources/structural_racism_in_us_food_system.

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The Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) engages the people of Michigan, the United States and the world in developing regionally integrated sustainable food systems. CRFS extends MSU’s pioneering legacy of applied research, education and outreach by catalyzing collaboration and fostering innovation among the diverse range of people, processes and places involved in regional food systems. Our vision is a thriving economy, equity and sustainability for Michigan, the country and the planet through food systems rooted in local regions and centered on Good Food: food that is healthy, green, fair and affordable. Learn more at http://foodsystems.msu.edu and connect on Twitter and Facebook: @MSUCRFS.

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