How We Eat: The Brave New World of Food and Drink

Underhill, an expert in consumer behavior, writes about a central aspect of all humanity: food. He argues that the contemporary food system is broken and analyzes the current trends in all aspects of the industry and extrapolates them to see how humans might be eating in the future. He dedicates each chapter to a different aspect of food-production and seeks to highlight how future endeavors (e.g., the country-fication of cities; exciting changes at the supermarket) may help to create a better food system for everyone involved. Beyond the technological aspects of food-production, he also writes about psychological and sociological changes that are affecting the industry. The future of food might not turn out exactly as Underhill envisions it, but his book is an interesting behind-the-scenes look at the industry that will surprise readers at what might be coming. Underhill doesn’t prescribe any concrete solutions, which may leave readers wanting more. Hand to fans of Michael Ruhlman’s Grocery.