Frontline Issues in Nutrition Assistance: Hunger Report 2006 - Bread for the World Institute, 2006. 196p. $25.00*, Paperback (8 X 10.25”). ISBN 1-884361-15-3. 363.8 Hunger. Food supply.

Bread for the World got its start in 1972 when a small group of Catholics and Protestants met to discuss how “how persons of faith might influence U.S. policies that address the causes of hunger.” Now grown to membership of over 56,000, Bread is a strong force in the quest to eliminate hunger and malnutrition around the globe. Its Hunger Report 2006 is a collection of articles by physicians, nutritionists, relief workers and others engaged in the struggle. Some topics addressed: flaws in the current food stamp program; child nutrition programs; chronic hunger in developing countries; and providing food assistance in the aftermath of natural disasters and other emergencies (a need painfully demonstrated in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina). One article asks whether healthy eating is even an option that families on food stamps can afford.

The Hunger Report doesn’t just point out problems—much of it is devoted to proposing solutions and providing specific guidance. The quality is impressive; the book is liberally supplied with color photos, tables, and other graphics related to hunger and poverty around the world. Hunger Report 2007 will be available in electronic form by Thanksgiving and in paper by January 2007.

*Free copies are available for libraries. Contact Christine Matthews at cmatthews@bread.org or (202) 464-8172.

Monica Tenney
C&SL Media Review Editor
Maple Grove United Methodist Church
Columbus, Ohio