Faith, Farming and Food

Food has always played a central place in religious observance, but as faith communities increasingly embrace an environmental ethic and worry about adherents' health, they are also turning their attention to applying their faith to questions of food production, nutrition and hunger.

The U.S. Presbyterian Church's Food and Faith Initiative, for example, works with the Presbyterian Hunger Program, maintains a blog, organizes a "fair food" campaign and advocates on the federal farm bill.

"Ultimately, the test of any food system, and the policies that shape it, is a moral one," an entry on the blog reads. "Our individual consumer choices, our institutional actions and our public policies must put human needs ahead of economic profits. They must recognize and protect the dignity of humankind and the integrity of God's creation."

Another group, Come to the Table, "an on-going project that explores the connections between food security, faith and farms" in North Carolina, brings ministers, community leaders and government officials together "to create a food system that feeds our communities, supports farmers and farmworkers, and fosters a connection to the land."

Divine Tilth, a "gardening ministry that grows organic fruits and vegetables" to supply North Carolina's Wendell United Methodist Church's Food Pantry, is an example of the simple, practical ways churches are involved in sustainable food: Excess food from the garden is offered to any from the church or larger community who need it.

The Yale University School of Divinity has just started its own 2,000 square-foot garden, called "Yale Divinity School Farm," to help incorporate teaching about the environment and food into the study of theology. “Stewardship of the earth is a fundamental religious obligation,” Divinity School Dean Harold Attridge told Yale Daily News.

The blog Catholic Foodie discusses "where food meets faith." And The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has even published "Catholic Reflections on Food, Farmers, and Farmworkers," which states that "Providing food for all is a Gospel imperative, not just another policy choice."

Non-Christian faiths are involved as well.

The New York Jewish organization Hazon organizes the Jewish Food Education Network, which offers educational materials and other resources to communities and congregations, and maintains a blog called The Jew & the Carrot on "Jews, Food & Contemporary Issues."

An "eco-halal revolution" is sweeping through the ranks of U.S. Muslims (Halal means lawful, and when applied to food governs what observant Muslims are permitted to eat). Organizations like Green Zabiha (zabiha is humane slaughter under Islamic law), Madani Halal and Al-Ma'ida CSA all provide sustainable halal food to Muslims.

Many other groups and resources are out there for the finding. Here are just a few:

• Oregon's Interfaith Food and Farms Partnership
• National Farm Worker Ministry
• Sustainable food program of the Chicago-based interfaith organization, Faith in Place
• GreenFaith's "Repairing Eden: Sustainable Food Guide for Religious Groups"
• Center for a Livable Future's Baltimore Food and Faith Program
• United Methodist Women's Food & Faith program

Is your church, synagogue or mosque doing anything? Does your faith influence your thoughts on food and hunger?

Photo: Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com on Flickr