Book

The Meth Lunches: Food and Longing in an American City

2023

Synopsis

Food is a conduit for connection; we envision smiling families gathered around a table―eating, happy, content. But what happens when poverty, mental illness, homelessness, and addiction claim a seat at that table? In The Meth Lunches, Kim Foster peers behind the polished visions of perfectly curated dinners and charming families to reveal the complex reality when poverty and food intersect.

Whether it’s heirloom vegetables or a block of neon-yellow government cheese, food is both a basic necessity and a nuanced litmus test: what and how we eat reflects our communities, our cultures, and our place in the world. The Meth Lunches gives a glimpse into the lives of people living in Foster’s Las Vegas community―the grocery store cashier who feels safer surrounded by food after surviving a childhood of hunger; the inmate baking a birthday cake with coffee creamer and Sprite; the unhoused woman growing scallions in the slice of sunlight on her passenger seat. This is what food looks like in the lives of real people.

The Meth Lunches reveals stories of dysfunction intertwined with hope, of the insurmountable obstacles and fierce determination all playing out on the plates of ordinary Americans. It’s a bold invitation to pull up a chair and reconsider our responsibilities to the most vulnerable among us. Welcome to the table.

Suggested Reading

KELLOGG'S: The Story of America's Breakfast King

KELLOGG’S! Just saying that enchanted name conjures up childhood memories of eating breakfast at the family table with a bowl full of Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, or Rice Krispies! And if a delicious mouthful of sugary cereal wasn’t enough to excite you as a kid, the boxes branded with Kellogg’s mas...

The Seed Detective: Uncovering the Secret Histories of Remarkable Vegetables

Did you ever wonder how peas, kale, asparagus, beans, squash, and corn have ended up on our plates? Well, so did Adam Alexander. Adam Alexander is The Seed Detective. His passion for vegetables was ignited when he tasted an unusual sweet pepper with a fiery heart while on a filmmaking project in Uk...

We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. By continuing to browse, you accept our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.