Gender, Food and COVID-19: Global Stories of Harm and Hope

In Gender, Food, and COVID-19: Global Stories of Harm and Hope, Paige Castellanos, Carolyn E. Sachs, and Ann R. Tickamyer, gender scholars at Pennsylvania State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences, examine the intersections of gender, food, and agriculture during the COVID-19 pandemic. The book, which grew out of a blog on these topics, ensures that the story of food and agriculture does not fall through the cracks, especially in times of crisis.

This collection of fifteen essays addresses food insecurity, women’s caregiving labor, food justice, as well as labor issues in restaurant businesses. Through personal narratives, contributors highlight the importance of women’s work and the lack of institutional support. A strength of this book is its international perspective covering India, Cambodia, Vietman, Honduras, as well as the United States meatpacking. The book critiques government responses for neglecting informal labor and advocates for alternative survival systems.

It also explores how race and gender affect agricultural and care work, revealing the mistreatment of agricultural workers during the pandemic. Published amid the seventh wave of COVID-19, the book calls for action to support marginalized individuals in food systems amid growing global food insecurity. The authors stress the need for policies and research to address both food insecurity and gender inequality.