As food advocates, we grapple with everything from personal challenges to staying healthy, to structural challenges around food access. We've been unpacking some key terms around food justice through the Good Food Force Facebook Group, and better yet: developing our own shared working definitions of these concepts.
Check out the latest conversation, on food justice, below! As always, feel free to jump in on Facebook.
TERM: FOOD JUSTICE. How would you define Food Justice, and what role can we each play in promoting it?
JL: When I think Food Justice, I think access, the advocacy and support of quality food for all. In response to promoting it, I don't see a better way than sharing where the greatest need is. At food pantries, Summer sports fields, YouTube, even in conjunction with sahm groups, farmers markets and rec centers. Just my $.02 ! wink emoticon
EB: For me it's the universal access of healthy and fresh food that we need to live. I don't view this as a luxury item -- but a human right!
ES: I think food justice covers a lot of issues---it could be ensuring that our foods are safe from pesticides, toxins, yucky chemicals etc. I also think of it as meaning that all people have access healthy, affordable in their community and no one goes hungry. Other topics that might fall under food justice would be the local food movements and protecting our children from big business' advertising of junk food.
DB: What was said above - for me, in addition, a significant component is the emphasis on helping youth access healthy food and learn how to grow and prepare healthy foods for themselves as well (child hunger is so significant frown emoticon ).
AJ: All of the above, plus city planning (which speaks to access)-- where are the grocery stores? Where are they in relation to bus lines and residential areas? If corner stores are closest/most accessible, what do they stock? What's closest to schools? (I know some passionate city and transportation planners!)
DB: I would add - justice within the food production system as well. We shouldn't be exposing those who grow and harvest our foods to unsafe chemicals, and they should be respected and paid a living wage.
KS: Uh, just want to chime in to say you're all AWESOME and BRILLIANT. Thank you for this thoughtful discussion! We're going to share these terms on our webpage, and in the Good Food Force updates ... and love love love these crowd-sourced definitions! I hope they're also useful in your own work. Please keep thoughts coming, and we'll post another term soon!
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