Meatpacking America: How Migration, Work, and Faith Unite and Divide the Heartland

by Kristy Nabhan-Warren

Whether valorized as the heartland or derided as flyover country, the Midwest became instantly notorious when COVID-19 infections skyrocketed among workers in meatpacking plants--and Americans feared for their meat supply. But the Midwest is not simply the place where animals are fed corn and then butchered. Native midwesterner Kristy Nabhan-Warren spent years interviewing Iowans who work in the meatpacking industry, both native-born residents and recent migrants from Latin America, Africa, and Asia. In Meatpacking America, she digs deep below the stereotype and reveals the grit and grace of a heartland that is a major global hub of migration and food production--and also, it turns out, of religion.

Across the flatlands, Protestants, Catholics, and Muslims share space every day as worshippers, employees, and employers. On the bloody floors of meatpacking plants, in bustling places of worship, and in modest family homes, longtime and newly arrived Iowans spoke to Nabhan-Warren about their passion for religious faith and desire to work hard for their families. Their stories expose how faith-based aspirations for mutual understanding blend uneasily with rampant economic exploitation and racial biases. Still, these new and old midwesterners say that a mutual language of faith and morals brings them together more than any of them would have ever expected.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, History, Food

280 pages, Paperback

Published September 21, 2021

Reviews

[David Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating look at how a new wave of immigrants is changing the demographics of rural America. As slaughter houses have moved closer to animal suppliers in less expensive rural areas, especially in right-to-work states, the processing plants have attracted a diverse work force comprised largely of refugees, asylum seekers, and legal and illegal immigrants. Meat processing plants are now like mini-United Nations with workers from Latin America, Congo, Burma, South Africa, etc. who are settling in areas that were once home to immigrants from Ireland and Germany. The immigrants are revitalizing Catholic Church attendance, introducing Islam, and opening new businesses to once-dying towns. The author, a sociologist, examines the reactions of long-time white residents with care as she dives deep into the lives of local priests, farmers, and plant owners, noting that the diversity of rural areas may exceed that of oft hyper-segregated cities.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, great read. As a Midwesterner, this one hit close to home for a lot of reasons. I like the author’s plain language as it lends itself to the nature of the content. Her exploration of migration, family, faith (primarily Catholic), and farming is good. I was especially interested in the discussion of how faith is a tool and source of strength used by many (especially migrant workers) in incredibly difficult/bloody labor. She talks about producers vs. processors and that HIT. I picked this up for several reasons, one being that a very close family member of mine works in the meat industry. A lot of what was mentioned in the book was very familiar. Some parts felt a little redundant, but altogether a solid read.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4 Interesting look at the industry at three locations in Iowa. The book focuses on the transition from farming community to corporate ag and the impact of immigration in the communities by those whose families settled generations ago and those who have made new lives here from Latin America, Asia, and East Africa. A good first effort by the author although a bit repetitive.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very monotonous and uneven in presentation. I was more interested in the last few chapters than anything else, but barely made it to that point. I think the author was trying to do too much in this book. But it is definitely an important topic to read up on, especially for those of us in Iowa

[Meggan Manlove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Such an interesting ethnographic study. I’m better informed for having read this book.

[Chloe Peters · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was eye opening and brought out a whole new perspective of American Immigrants living in the midwest. If I didn’t love meat so much this book probably would have done it for me. Regardless I will never look at a prepackaged piece of meat from the grocery store again. It’s so important to know where who and how our food comes to us. Lots of personal stories helped break up the more complex religious aspect. Definitely worth the read.