"Eat food."

It doesn't sound like very profound advice, especially coming from a James Beard award-winning food writer. Author Michael Pollan will be explaining his theory when he visits to Madison next week.

Foodies, health nuts and local food supporters will come together to hear Pollan speak Thursday, Sept. 24 at the Kohl Center at 7 p.m. Pollan's speech, titled, "In Defense of Food: An Omnivore's Solution," will focus on his newest book, "In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto," the first selection in UW-Madison's Go Big Read program.

"The whole campus is reading one of my books, and it's extremely gratifying to talk about the future of food and farming in America," Pollan said. "I think there's something really special when an entire community reads the same book."

Pollan developed a following after the success of his previous book, "The Omnivore's Dilemma," which was named one of the 10 best books of the year by The New York Times and Washington Post in 2006. His latest book, however, has brought upon a bout of controversy, as it tells Americans exactly what they don't want to hear.

"Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."

With these seven short words Pollan hopes to change the eating habits of diet-obsessed Americans. He puts an emphasis on eating "food," which to him is anything your great-grandmother would recognize. Although Pollan admits to eating meat in the book, he purports that plant-based foods should be the main course for any meal.

Pollan said his goal for his speech is to expand peoples' definition of the word "health." He has found that the harder Americans fight obesity, the worse the problem gets. But for Pollan, health is about more than just slimming down.

"The food issue encompasses the way we eat and prepare food - health care costs, climate change, energy independence," he said. "The way we feed ourselves is responsible for at least one-third of the health care spending. It's the elephant in the room."

Pollan's current speaking tour takes him to only a few locations in the Midwest, but he will be staying here through the weekend to support the annual Food for Thought Festival sponsored by REAP Food Group. The festival takes place Sept. 26 on Martin Luther King Boulevard from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Dane County Farmers' Market.

The goal of the festival is to support local food by bringing together Madison restaurants that use local ingredients, such as Café Costa Rica and L'Etoile. There will be even more options this year, with an all-new "Eat Local Food Court" and Artisan Cheese Court.

Pollan said he always likes to support local food and views his visit to Madison as an important step in getting Americans to view health as a serious issue.

"I'm particularly excited to be coming to Madison because it's one of the centers of gravity for the local food movement," Pollan said. "I know it's one of the best farmers' markets in the country. It's one of the most exciting places to be if you're interested in these issues."

If you go

What: "In Defense of Food: The Omnivore's Solution," a Go Big Read/Humanities Without Boundaries Public Lecture with Michael Pollan

When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24

Where: Kohl Center

Tickets: None needed; the event is free. Doors open at 6 p.m.

If you go

What: The 11th annual Food For Thought Festival, featuring keynote speaker Michael Pollan at 10 a.m.

When: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Sept. 26

Where: Martin Luther King Boulevard, adjacent to the Dane County Farmers' Market

Information: For a full schedule and other information, visit www.reapfoodgroup.org.

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