Sabine O’Hara, a distinguished professor in agricultural and environmental economics at the Center for College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES), is still letting the news sink in. Her latest book, “Food Justice in American Cities: Stories of Health and Resilience,” has won first prize in food security books at the Gourmand Global Awards during the World Food Summit 2025 in Portugal.
Published following her 2023 sabbatical, the book dives deeply into food insecurity in urban America, highlighting not just statistics but the lived experiences, challenges and resilience of the people most affected.
The award citation praised the book as “powerful and timely… bringing vital attention to the realities of food insecurity in urban America, moving beyond statistics to illuminate the lives, challenges and resilience of the people most affected. By linking food systems to broader issues of justice, sustainability and economic equity, this book offers a compelling analysis as well as hope – showing how food can serve as a catalyst for meaningful systemic change in our cities and communities.”
The Gourmand World Cookbook Awards were presented at the Cascais World Food Summit in Portugal, held June 18-22, 2025. Celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, the awards honor the best in food and drink writing from around the world, including cookbooks, magazines and social media. According to the Cascais Municipal Council, the event brings together authors, chefs and innovators who are shaping how we think about food and its role in our lives.