Growing the Food Justice Movement

With one in eight Americans on food stamps and one in three categorized as obese, the importance of debunking the myth that food sustainability is only important to the left-leaning affluent is more crucial than ever.

Lest we get complacent as a result of the Journal of the American Medical Association’s recent report that obesity rates have plateaued, let’s remember that: A full third of Americans are still considered obese. Two out of three of us are either overweight or obese, based on Body Mass Index (BMI) calculations, an imperfect but standardized ratio of weight divided by height.

As we’ve come to expect from such studies, “non-hispanic blacks” had the highest obesity rates, followed by “all hispanics.” “Non-hispanic white” study subjects had the lowest rates.

If you’re willing to make the leap that class is still related to race in the U.S. and relate all these facts to the hubbub around soon-to-be Surgeon General Regina Benjamin’s so-called weight problems, you’ll appreciate chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society Dr. Otis Brawley’s reaction to Benjamin’s appointment:

"Poverty is conducive to obesity," said Brawley. "I think Dr. Benjamin may understand the root causes and effectively address the problems more than skinny people."

Access to healthy food for folks living in poverty, sometimes called “food security,” isn’t a new challenge to America. But Changemaker Bryant Terry and others are at the forefront of the food justice movement, a burgeoning group of dedicated farmers activists working to ensure that low-income families are included in efforts to promote food sustainability.

Milwaukee-based Growing Power held its first “Growing Food and Justice” gathering this past October, welcoming advocates from around the country to join them in “dismantling racism and empowering low-income and communities of color through sustainable and local agriculture.”

Organizations throughout the country, such as Just Food in New York City and the Oakland-based People’s Grocery put the idea into practice year-round. By promoting CSAs and connecting local farmers to low-income communities, the food justice movement increases access to healthy food while providing community education about healthy eating and hands-on urban gardening programs, fostering a true community approach that allows folks to share family recipes and stretch every dollar.

Promoting the cause is no small challenge, especially with fast food dollar menus at the ready and formidable giants like McDonald’s spouting cheery PR language targeting the African American community with its 365 Black campaign:

“Like the unique African Baobab tree, which nourishes its community with its leaves and fruit, McDonald's has branched out to the African-American community nourishing it with valuable programs and opportunities.”

Sorry, Mickey D’s, but that’s not the kind of nourishment we’re looking for. To find out about food justice in your own community, check the USDA’s list of farmer's markets that accept food stamps. If yours isn’t on the list, ask your favorite farmer why. You might be surprised at the answer.