The Good Food Revolution: Growing Healthy Food, People, and Communities

Allen recounts numerous lessons he learned from working with nature and the land to cultivate food, and he presents them as allegorical scenarios through which readers can learn lessons about life. His efforts with compost, for example, hold metaphorical value as well as literal value. By converting organic waste material into rich fertilizer that nourishes plants, Allen is celebrating an old lesson in turning a negative situation into a positive one. From the early losses of his composting worms, Allen reinforces his message about inadequate food and resources resulting in poor health, while cultivating honey gives Allen an opportunity to learn from the example of honeybees who work together to achieve a common goal.

Allen also gains wisdom of a more esoteric type from the land and from nature. For example, no matter how experienced a farmer might be, he or she cannot control the whims of nature; a farmer must work within the limitations set by nature, responding to changing conditions and adapting to unexpected situations all the time. Allen recognizes that living in a more general way according to this kind of understanding is beneficial. He observes and responds, reacting thoughtfully to circumstances rather than charging into a situation with a set frame of mind. As well, Allen’s experience with cancer led him to think differently about fancy approaches to problems. He developed cancer as an adult as a consequence of a technologically-advanced, but unnecessary, solution to ringworm, a common fungal infection of the skin. From this experience, Allen learned that simpler solutions, if they are applicable, are better than ones that claim to be more sophisticated.

By making connections between race, health, and resources throughout the book, Allen illuminates for his reader the injustices that have faced under-resourced communities throughout American history. This discussion allows readers to appreciate more clearly Allen’s determination to increase the healthy food supply to as many communities as possible, especially low-income black communities in his home city of Milwaukee. His choices to sell vegetables in affordable market baskets, for example, and to develop partnerships with community organizations all reflect Allen’s commitment to social justice causes.

Allen also points out the patterns in history that have disempowered small farmers and discouraged black farmers from pursuing a career in agriculture. He cites with historical accuracy black educators and thinkers who have helped and hindered the farming life while celebrating individuals who have inspired him personally to spend his life working for others. Allen also points out the connections between the food supply and public health issues, showing readers that healthy eating is indeed a privilege that not all communities can enjoy. As well, Allen emphasizes the importance of using sustainable methods of cultivation, between composting and vermiculture to recruiting local youth to work for him at Growing Power. Minimizing waste is an important tenet for Allen, who grew up learning firsthand how far a single food item can go to sustain a family living off the land.