“Food Justice” refers to the idea that everyone should have access to healthy and sustainable food. The concept comes from the food justice movement, which recognizes the link between food, health, and the environment.
As a public school educator for over three decades, I observed and analyzed students who struggled with academic success and behavior. There was a common thread in each situation – A very poor diet consisting of processed foods and high amounts of sugar. In communities where some children and their families have limited access to nutrient dense food, often packaged, trucked in products, chips, and sodas are substituted for home cooked meals with locally sourced ingredients. It seemed that the cards were stacked against the children who had less as they were sick more often, had less informed support from caregivers, and very limited experiences as contributors to their communities.
I decided to do something and began the Promise of Peace Gardens by transforming a vacant lot into a thriving food garden in Dallas, Texas.
Much research followed which was centered around successful programs where children were engaged in the Earth to Table cycle.
These programs centered around children and their families participating in the growing of their own food and the preparation of that food. Two of the programs cultivating food justice were the
Sustainable Food Center in Austin, Texas and the Edible Schoolyard in Berkley, California.
POP Garden curriculum and programming is modeled after these successful organizations.
While working alongside families from all backgrounds in the gardens, amazing transformations were observed. Expertise, a desire to share, care, and inform others transpired. Shy children became confident, and families began infusing their diets with goodness from the garden. The impact was tremendous as the garden community grew. Healthy connections and relationships blossomed, and the crime rate decreased significantly. Struggles became less and joy was spreading in and out of the schools.
While building 18 food gardens, I witnessed food justice become part of the culture within the communities that surrounded the Promise of Peace Gardens.
What is Food Justice? IT IS A HUMAN RIGHT!
The impact is unmeasurable when our students receive indelible lessons from the garden. Our families receive locally grown nutritious ingredients to create lovely dishes for their tables. Never in my 4 decades of education have I seen such life changing impact for all than in the garden.
Listen as Elizabeth dive deeper into food justice on the One Life Radio Podcast – https://www.oneliferadio.com/shows/elizabethdry
0 Comments