All About Helping the Community
FOOD JUSTICE MATTERS
FOOD JUSTICE exists when EVERYONE is able to eat affordable and healthy food. People should have access to fresh vegetables, dairy products, whole grains, and meat. This is only possible if these foods are available locally and sold at a fair price. Please understand, being able to buy junk food is fine when it is not the only food you are able to eat. We cannot maintain our health on a fast food diet. It has a lot of empty calories and fat. It definitely doesn't have the nutrients our body's crave. Everyone should be able to buy and eat as much fresh, nutritious food as they need. We all deserve food security. That is why our 5th grade class is fighting for FOOD JUSTICE.
Available Free Food Resources
Urban Gardens
An urban farm is one way to bring affordable, healthy food to city dwellers. You can create one anywhere - abandoned lots, rooftops and even classrooms.
Any vegetable that can grow in the country can grow in an urban farm. You name it: potatoes, lettuce, tomatoes, basil, cucumber, eggplants squash, celery, watermelon, peas, and even pumpkins! They are all available to share with members of the community.
You might even find animals in urban farms. For example, Harlem Grown has chicken coops. Fresh eggs for everyone!
Community Fridges
A community fridge can be found in strategic locations all over the city. The one you see might look just like a refrigerator in your house. The difference is that this fridge is probably painted in pretty colors. Also the contents in this fridge are free.
The community fridges are filled with all kinds of nutritious foods that are there for the taking. All you have to do is ask the volunteer who maintains the fridge. He or she will help you to select the right combinations.
Start eating food from a community fridge instead of the local fast food joint and you will have more energy. Your body will thank you, and so will your family because you can bring home food for them too.
Community fridges are healthy. They are there for those that aren't wealthy. Hear what we say. You don't have to pay. Just take what you need, and be on your way.
Food Pantries
A food pantry is another place you can go to pick up nutritious food. You might find one of these in a church, community center, or even your local YMCA. A food pantry can pop up just about anywhere.
Food pantries focus on food that is preserved. You are likely to find lots of canned items such as fish, vegetables, stew, soup, fruit, and beans. You can also count on a supply of various pastas and breads. Jars of peanut butter and jelly can be found here too.
Lots of times, pantries will have boxes of supplies prepared ahead of time so that you can just go in and grab one.
No one is turned away at a food pantry. The people there understand the horrible feeling of food insecurity and will do anything in their power to support a community member in need.
Helping Our Community
How can you help? There are so many ways!
You can always travel to a local community fridge or food pantry and leave food for others to take. After you drop off your canned goods, volunteer at one of these places. There is always work to be done and the help is appreciated.
Join your local urban farm and plant some vegetables to share. Even better, create your own garden! All you need is a small plot of land to get started. Talk to the people at local urban farms. They will be happy to help you get going with your own.
Inform people of the locations of various organizations that can help. Create advertisements for food pantries, community fridges, and urban gardens. Design posters to go on the sides of buses and in train stations. Get the word out about inexpensive, healthy options.
Finally, you can help by creating awareness of the issue of food insecurity. Educate people about the importance of food justice and ask for their help. Ask them to donate their time, supplies, space, and ideas. Be a community organizer!
Food Justice Matters
Food justice matters. Without healthy food we cannot thrive as human beings.
A builder can't build.
A health care worker cannot cure.
A student cannot learn.
An ill person cannot get well.
No one should be left wondering where they will find their next meal, or how they will afford to buy the healthy options for their children.
Our 5th Grade class hopes to help to transform this community into one in which no goes hungry.
One of our basic needs is food. How can we expect our community to grow and thrive if people are hungry? We are activists for food justice. We hope that you will join us.