Conversation Blog: Food Justice (October 2011)

[IPJC Office]

Join the Conversation on Food Justice

• Post an update and photo from your Justice Cafe
• Share an insight, question or action idea
• Interact with young adults from across the U.S., Canada and Africa

[Nolan Grady]

We met last Wednesday and discussed many elements of food justice.  The discussion started on how to deal with systemic hunger issues, to understanding where food comes from (a discussion spurred from a reading of The Omnivore's Dilemma), to sustainable food practices.  It was an amazing discussion in that it started on global issues and then spiraled into addressing our local community in all of those different areas where justice is needed related to food.  Though our members left a bit hungry since we only gave rice, bread, and water in an act of solidarity of those suffering around the world.

[Jordan Bokor Warner]

We had a hearty discussion at our NJ Food Justice Cafe.  Main topics revolved largely around "awareness" and "community."  We shared and learned how awareness of our food -- what is in it, where it comes from, active gratitude -- can foster a positive relationship with food on personal and food-system scales.  When we stay aware of what we eat, we can make informed choices.  We discussed the role of ritual (religious, family, community) -- ideas such as:

- The value of saying "grace" or giving thanks before and/or after a meal, alone or with others.

- The relationship between our modern food system, justice-related labels (Fair Trade, Organic, etc...), Jewish kosher laws, and sustainable food practices.

- The role of community in food systems.

[Clara Bernard]

  

October’s Justice Café was a great event! The theme of the month Food Justice enabled students to have a very meaningful discussion.

As a group, we believe that there are at least two aspects of food justice. There are both a consumer and producer side of the topic. Students found it challenging to balance their budget with their desire for healthy food that is produced justly.  Often, we choose the cheapest products and do not look closely at where the products come from. We all agreed that food justice is essential to life.

Students were inspired to take some actions such as making a special effort in limiting the amount of food they waste, and looking more closely at what they are buying.

We were lucky to have one of the students share with us her involvement in the Student/Farmworker Alliance how this organization is involved in the community.