Food brings people together. But hunger divides—deepening political conflicts, exacerbating inequalities, and destroying communities around the globe. Hunger is also a consequence of many of the most divisive forces in 21st-century life, including globalization, war, mass disease, and environmental loss. What is the relationship between food and community, and could it hold the key to more sustainable ways of feeding people? What will the future of food aid look like, as connections between nations fray and the U.S. adopts a radically new foreign policy? Jean-Martin Bauer, who has managed food programs and worked as a food security analyst for the United Nations World Food Programme around the globe, is the author of The New Breadline: Hunger and Hope in the Twenty-First Century and the winner of the 2025 Zócalo Public Square Book Prize. He’ll visit Zócalo to explore the role hunger plays in our world today, and what it takes to help people come together and feed one another.
Zócalo Public Square is proud to award the 2025 Zócalo Poetry Prize to Jennifer Blackledge for her poem "Mt. Trashmore."
For the second year in a row, Zócalo will host Zócalo Reads: a reading hour led by 2025 Zócalo Book Prize winner Jean-Martin Bauer at 6 p.m., at the 5th floor boardroom of the ASU California Center Broadway at the historic Herald Examiner building. The first 20 attendees will receive a free copy of The New Breadline. Space for Zócalo Reads is extremely limited; register for free on Eventbrite. You do not need to attend Zócalo Reads to attend the Book Prize Event.
Zócalo invites our in-person audience to continue the conversation with our speakers and each other at a post-event reception with complimentary small bites and beverages. Guests may purchase a copy of Bauer’s book during the reception and have it signed by the author.
The 2025 Zócalo Book and Poetry Prizes are generously sponsored by Tim Disney.
Zócalo Public Square values audience safety. During events at ASU California Center, as bag searches are not permitted, only clear bags (maximum size 12” x 6” x 12”) and small clutches (maximum size 8 ½” x 5 ½”) are allowed in the venue. Zócalo may be able to provide a limited number of clear bags to help accommodate guests. Questions? Ask us at events@zocalopublicsquare.org.
The ASU California Center is inclusive and accessible for all. A platform wheelchair lift is available at our main entrance via Broadway (ground level). Upon checking in for the event, please inform Zócalo staff if you need assistance, or contact events@zocalopublicsquare.org for additional information.