“As I grew steadily more comfortable in the kitchen, I found that, much like gardening, most cooking manages to be agreeably absorbing without being too demanding intellectually. It leaves plenty of mental space for daydreaming and reflection. One of the things I reflected on is the whole question of taking on what in our time has become, strictly speaking, optional, even unnecessary work, work for which I am not particularly gifted or qualified, and at which I may never get very good. This is, in the modern world, the unspoken question that hovers over all our cooking: Why bother?”-Michael Pollan, Cooked

That’s a quote from Michael Pollan’s latest book, Cooked, which comes out today (which is why today’s KBK Links are centered on him as our theme).

Michael Pollan has delved into food politics as a journalist and can wax rhapsodic about heirloom tomatoes with the best of them.

And even though we’re a meal-delivery service for busy folks who don’t have time to cook, we still recommend you consider what he has to say in that quote above. That’s why we bring you recipes and tips on cooking, to inspire you to try a few homemade items alongside our meals, that way you’re always eating real food that contains ingredients you know, whether you made it yourself or we made it for you.

But Michael Pollan has plenty to say on our current food situation (from farming to hunting to government subsidies, etc.) so here are today’s links (plus a couple embedded videos) to bring you up to speed on some of the many issues he’s tackled. And if you’re already a fan of his work, leave us a comment as to your favorite book or article of his. See you Thursday for the next edition of KBK Links!

Food as a national security issue
Why are farmers afraid of Michael Pollan?
How change is going to come in the food system
Rules to eat by
Unhappy meals
Pollan’s books