We are excited to have been named as one of five “Change Makers Leading the Way” by our partner organization Northwest Harvest, in a recent blog post! This comes as part of their yearlong exploration of the meaning of food in our lives and communities, through a project titled The Meaning of Food.
Below is an excerpt from their post, discussing a vision for justice in the food system:
Imagining a Just Food System
Imagine…
a Washington where everyone has affordable access to nutritious, culturally familiar food from local growers who earn thriving wages. Your food travels less than 200 miles from farm to kitchen; your food is grown, harvested, transported, and sold within your region. This local food system increases resilience, reduces supply chain disruptions, and dramatically cuts greenhouse gas emissions.
Imagine…
a food system transformed by ethical, organic, and regenerative agricultural practices. Where industrial agriculture and monocropping have given way to sustainable farming focused on feeding people, not producing livestock feed and biofuels. Where regulations ensure food safety and environmental protection, and harmful chemicals have been dramatically reduced.
Imagine…
Indigenous land rights prioritized and protected, with Native communities leading meaningful stewardship of land and resources. Where marginalized communities have access to land, capital, and resources to become farmers. Where farming provides viable livelihoods, workers enjoy strong protections, and a new generation of diverse farmers transforms our agricultural landscape.
Imagine…
fruit trees flourishing in public parks, food forests and urban farms feeding communities, and gardens blooming on sidewalk strips, school campuses, and apartment building decks. Neighbors exchanging seeds and plant starts, stocking Little Free Pantries, and sharing growing wisdom. No food goes to waste for aesthetic reasons. Community networks ensure surplus reaches those who need it most.
Imagine…
schools where every child eats breakfast and lunch at no cost. Where lunch debt is a thing of the past, and families no longer face the stigma of inability to pay. Where children receive nutrient-dense, seasonal foods that support their development, health, and academic success.
You’ve just imagined what a just food system would look like.
To read the full blog post, click here.
To read Northwest Harvest’s full interview of our General Coordinator, Alison Cohen, click here.
To check out Northwest Harvest’s yearlong project, The Meaning of Food, click here.
Check out @NWHarvest on Instagram and Facebook, and join their conversation on food justice using #MeaningOfFood.