BOOK REVIEW: Never Out of Season by Rob Dunn
Food scarcity is one of the major global issues that is discussed by many in the political arena as well as among common folk. One of the main reasons is the crop themselves. Wild crops were hardier, providing sustenance to early civilizations. Along the way, something went wrong and GMO foods begin to be introduced into the market. But how, when and why did these crops pop up?
The bananas we eat today are not the same as the ones your parents grew up with. In the 1960s, dozens of banana varieties were replaced by a single standardized type, creating the familiar and consistent breakfast fruit we know today. However, this lack of diversity has made modern bananas highly vulnerable to a disease that could potentially destroy them altogether.
That reflects the reality of modern food production: advances in science have given us a constant supply of produce. Fruits that were once seasonal now appear available year-round, while farmers selectively breed and clone the strongest and tastiest crop varieties to meet growing demand.
As a result, a smaller share of the world’s population suffers from hunger today than at any point in the past thousand years. At the same time, the standardization of our food system ensures that products like bananas, coffee, and wheat deliver the same familiar taste every time we buy them.
Our industrial food system has become highly efficient at converting sunlight, water, and nutrients into the food we eat. Yet the crops we depend on are still exposed to the forces of nature—and in the end, nature always prevails.
Authoritative, compelling, and filled with remarkable heroes and villains from across the globe, this book tells the story of the crops humanity relies on and the scientists working tirelessly to protect biodiversity in a race to safeguard both our food supply and our future.
