Reaping What She Sows

Nancy Matsumoto

$65

Hardback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

QTY:

English

Melville House Publishing
09 December 2025

Agriculture & farming

A James Beard Award winner celebrates the women heroes who are fighting against the Big Food system-and asks the question- How should we eat?

A James Beard Award winner celebrates the women heroes who are fighting against the Big Food system-and asks the question- How should we eat?

When the Covid-19 pandemic ripped through global food supply chains, it threatened the livelihoods of farmers, created shortages in supermarkets, and revealed a startling truth to consumers- the food system is broken, and large corporations did the breaking. An idea began to take hold-what if we could return to a time when our needs were met by the farmers in our own communities, rather than a commodity, Big Food system that favors profit above all else?

With in-depth, on the ground reporting, Nancy Matsumoto introduces readers to the women changemakers who are building out local and regional supply chains to combat the destructive effects of Big Food- from the founder of a women-led rice cooperative who is fighting Black land loss, to the Indigenous women who own and operate the first kelp hatchery on the American east coast, and more.

Reaping What She Sows offers a blueprint for what eating enjoyably, sustainably, and ethically looks like today. Essential for those who are concerned about climate change, their own health, and the lack of choice and transparency in the global food supply chain.

By: Nancy Matsumoto
Imprint: Melville House Publishing
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm,
Weight: 567g
ISBN: 9781685892036
ISBN 10: 1685892035
Pages: 288
Publication Date: 09 December 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Nancy Matsumoto is a Toronto- and New York City-based writer and editor who covers food, agriculture, and the environment. With Michael Tremblay, she is the author of the book Exploring the World of Japanese Craft Sake- Rice, Water, Earth, which won a James Beard Media Award. Her articles have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, NPR, Saveur, Food & Wine, and Civil Eats.

Reviews for Reaping What She Sows

“Matsumoto situates her work within an intersectional framework, and shares with eaters and food activists everywhere valuable lessons from the women at the forefront of agriculture system change. There’s no better time than now for this book… and there is no better person to write about this topic.” —Dan Barber, chef and author, The Third Plate: Field Notes on the Future of Food ""Women play enormously important roles in food systems and in the food movement, but are often overlooked. Matsumoto brings women out of the shadows and highlights the efforts of a wide diversity of women to create food systems healthier for people and the planet."" —Marion Nestle, nutritionist and author, What to Eat