In pursuit of jobs and economic development, many rural communities
have attracted large meat, poultry, and fish processing plants
owned by transnational corporations. But what they don't bargain
for is the increase in crime, homelessness, school overcrowding,
housing shortages, social disorder, cyclical migration, and poverty
that inevitably follows.
To shed light on the forces that drive the meat industry and the
communities where it locates, Donald Stull, Michael Broadway, and
David Griffith have brought together the varying perspectives of
anthropologists, geographers, sociologists, journalists, and
industry specialists. Despite increased automation, these experts
show that meat, poultry, and fish processing remain labor intensive
create problems for employees, host communities, and government
regulatory agencies.
Since 1906 when Sinclair Lewis exposed the horrors of Chicago
meat-packing in The Jungle, consumers have been wary of the process
that-even under the best conditions-is an ugly business.
Conversely, meat packers are often defensive and distrustful of
outside advice and government intervention, even as they look for
ways to cut costs and enhance low profit margins.
In an effort to lower costs, meat processors have moved from
urban to rural areas, where plants are closer to the supply of raw
materials. But rural communities lack a pool of surplus labor and
companies end up recruiting immigrants, minorities, and women to
work on the plant floors. By examining communities in Kansas,
Nebraska, Iowa, Georgia, and North Carolina, the authors evaluate
the impact rural plants have on regions with few employment
opportunities and the strain their presence places on social
services, schools, and law enforcement agencies. They also
investigate the underlying causes of high rates of injury and
personnel turnover within the industry.
Providing an overview of structural and geographical changes
occurring in meat processing, the authors explore the factors that
sway industry and community decision making and subsequently
influence the future of rural America. But more than just an
analysis of the current circumstances, Any Way You Cut It proposes
alternate routes communities and meat processors can take to
reverse deteriorating conditions and avoid potentially explosive
predicaments.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
