No Small Potatoes Book Launch October 29, 2008

Join us for the launch of Elizabeth Johnston's new book, No Small Potatoes: reading, music, photos, mingling. Cash Bar.

RSVP total number of guests by October 22nd by emailing writer [at] elizabeth-johnston [dot] com.

No Small Potatoes is an eclectic look at the effects of factory farming and genetic modification on us and our food. It combines research, interviews, and personal narrative.

Elizabeth Johnston’ book No Small Potatoes takes the reader on a global journey that makes connections among Irish and Canadian farmers, the Quechua from Peru, Hungarian plant scientist Dr. Pusztai and others. Their stories are ones that can inspire and empower the everyday person to change the direction of society for the better—and that’s no small potatoes!

Praise for No Small Potatoes:

Elizabeth Johnston follows the plight of the potato from traditional crop to genetically engineered commodity telling an alarming story which highlights corporate control of our food system and the disconnection between people and the food they eat.
-- Angela Caudle de Freitas, Executive Director, IFOAM.org

Elizabeth Johnston’s fascination with the potato brings her on an absorbing journey through many of the pivotal issues affecting how we live today. The stark reality of GMO domination, leading to the destruction of agricultural communities, the limiting of food choice and the loss of traditional knowledge and farming practices is central to the book. She skillfully demonstrates how science has lost its integrity in response to the lure of big business but points out that there is hope for small scale farmers working to preserve genetic diversity and food security. Elizabeth’s account of how native Peruvians are reclaiming their dignity and spiritual connection to the land and her call for a grassroots movement for food independence make this a captivating read.
-- Cait Curran, editor of Organic Matters

No Small Potatoes reminds us of the dangers of creating international law that elevates the protection of certain corporations' power to impose their will on basic human rights to farm and subsist on nature’s gifts of genetic diversity. Elizabeth Johnston tells her personal story alongside that of others who have personally paid the price of these violations of good science, ethical business practices, as well cultural exploitation and destruction. A good read. A call to action.
-- Timothy LaSalle, The Rodale Institute

About the author:

Elizabeth Johnston’s work has appeared in various publications including The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, and the anthology A Room at the Heart of Things. She also teaches business communication at Concordia University.

Official Website: http://www.elizabeth-johnston.com