Food of a Younger Land: A portrait of American food from the lost WPA files by Mark Kurlansky

white line

A portrait of American food- before the national highway system, before chain restaurants, and before frozen food, when the nation’s food was seasonal.

In the throes of the Great Depression, a make-work initiative for authors-called “America Eats”-was created by the WPA to chronicle the eating habits, traditions, and struggles of local Americans. Mark Kurlansky, author of Salt and Cod, unearths this forgotten literary treasure, chronicling a bygone era when Americans had never heard of fast food or grocery superstores.

Kurlansky brings together the WPA contributions-featuring New York automats and Georgia Coca-Cola parties, Maine lobsters and Montana beaver tails-and brilliantly showcases them with authentic recipes, anecdotes, and photographs. (from the publisher)

Riverhead Trade; 1 edition (April 6, 2010)

 

Share this post

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on pinterest
Share on print
Share on email