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Book Review of The American Way of Eating: Undercover at Walmart, Applebee's, Farm Fields and the Dinner Table

esjro avatar reviewed on + 947 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2


The author wants to learn about the how the food Americans eat is grown, distributed, and served, as well as learn about the workers who make these things happen. She works as a farm worker, clerk in a Walmart produce department, and in the kitchen at Applebee's. Tales of her experiences on these jobs and living in poor communities amongst her co-workers are interspersed with bits of history about American agriculture and the rise of unhealthy eating. While this book does a better job of pointing out problems than solutions (as most of this genre tend to do), it is an entertaining read and provided an interesting behind the scenes view of Walmart and Applebee's. (I have never liked Applebees. The last time I ate there was after Hurricane Sandy because it was the only thing open. I don't plan on eating at Applebee's again unless there is another hurricane and my food goes bad.)