Christina Ward - Holy Foods: From Easter to Passover and More

Christina Ward is a food historian, author, editor, and publisher. Her most recent book, is Holy Food: How Cults, Communes, and Religious Movements Influenced American History (2023). She is also a Master Food Preserver, and the owner/ publisher of Feral House, noted for their books on counterculture topics.

Ward is an independent cultural historian of food and food history. Her book, Holy Food; how Cults, Communes, and Religious Movements Influenced What We Eat – An American History reveals how religion has shaped America’s food culture—from ancient rules to modern-day food fads. It uncovers the surprising role food played in American history as religious traditions use the unique structure of the United States to monetize, proselytize, entice, and even revolutionize followers. From the early biblical dietary restrictions to Little Debbies, Ward shows how faith and food are intertwined.

In her presentation, Ward will show how spring religious holidays--like Easter and Passover--influence our food choices and how American business helped. This provocative journey through the American kitchen will change how you think about what's on your plate.

An Interview with Christina Ward, author of Holy Food: How Cults, Communes, and Religious Movements Influenced What We Eat—An American History | Welcome to Literary Ashland