James McWilliams talked about his book Just Food: Where Locavores Get It Wrong and How We Can Truly Eat Responsibly (Little, Brown and Company; August 15, 2009). In his book Mr. McWilliams argues that a compromise must be found between the argument of food production liberals, who believe in eating locally grown, organic produce and corporate agribusiness proponents who support the mass production of genetically altered food. While eating locally is important, Professor McWilliams argues, he also says it is not a viable way to feed millions of hungry people around the world. He argues that part of the solution could be a broad pattern of regionally integrated, technologically advanced, middle-sized farms. He talked about many aspects of food production including food miles, meat production, organic farming, pest management, aquaculture, and energy costs. He responded to questions from members of the audience.
James McWilliams was a fellow at Yale University’s Agrarian Studies Program from 2003-2008. His books include Revolution in Eating: How the Quest for Food Shaped America.