Telling the Story of Food: Why Food Literacy Matters to Your Library

Teens at the Chesterfield County Public Library prepare healthy snacks using the Charlie Cart from the South Carolina State Library

Over the past three and a half years of our food literacy initiative, SC Read Eat Grow, the one question I have heard over and over again is, “Why should a library be involved with food and nutrition?” For the South Carolina State Library and our statewide partner organizations, the answer is simple: food is a basic need for every person. Yet there is an incredible amount of information and ignorance surrounding the story of our food—how it is grown, the journey to your plate, how it affects your health now and later, and how the food we grow affects the planet at large as well as your neighborhood farmer. As a community institution that provides information, along with the knowledge to navigate that information, libraries are an ideal resource to bridge this gap. So why not libraries and food? Please visit WebJunction to see the full article by Rebecca Antill.

Upcoming Event

Robert Mills designed courthouse, Camden, SC.

From Colony to Community: Three Centuries of South Carolina Culture

October 16, 2025, 10:30 AM

This webinar provides an overview of South Carolina's cultural transformation through key historical moments. While not every significant event will be covered, we'll explore pivotal periods including the Revolutionary War, Civil War, federal tariffs, both World Wars, and the post-war era through today.