Food and/is power. Recent historiographical trends in the history of food during fascism

Journal title ITALIA CONTEMPORANEA
Author/s Kate Ferris
Publishing Year 2025 Issue 2025/308
Language Italian Pages 15 P. 205-219 File size 174 KB
DOI 10.3280/IC2025-308009
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This historiographical review considers some of the most innovative and influential works published in the growing and dynamic field of food history during fascism over the past decade or so, outlining four important trends and thematic developments within food history and the history of fascism to which these works have contributed. In particular, this literature review points to: 1) the emphasis placed by these works on the political nature and importance of food, its production, procurement, preparation and consumption; 2) the emphasis on exploring the historical trajectories of particular foodstuffs, companies and brands during the period of fascist rule; 3) the focus on the intersectionality of gender and race (alongside other categories) within food histories; and finally, 4) bringing the other three points together, the clear understanding within recent historiography of the centrality of food, and the politics of food, to the negotiating and wielding of power within the fascist state and society.

Keywords: Food History, Italian fascism, autarky, gender, everyday life

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Kate Ferris, Cibo e/è potere. Recenti tendenze storiografiche della storia dell’alimentazione durante il fascismo in "ITALIA CONTEMPORANEA" 308/2025, pp 205-219, DOI: 10.3280/IC2025-308009