It was the frustration of animal rights activists that didn’t like me talking about animals suffering and would get asked if animal rights people didn’t care about human rights. World Social Forums at Caracas, Venezuela stirred my passion due to relevant issues being related to food. As well as, for there to be an organization that strives for justice in many aspects. How should an organization approach a diverse community regarding healthy food accessibility? Organizations shouldn’t approach a community by telling them what they should and shouldn’t do before hearing out their input. Food Empowerment Project is looking to work with community members and their input. Thus, communities should only be surveyed if they allow it.
How did you begin working on issues of accessing food for the community? The work began in Santa Clara County where food establishments were surveyed regarding lower-income and higher-income areas disparity. Vallejo, California was surveyed to aid in determining that the entire community had problems with accessing healthy food options. What kind of work does Food Empowerment Project do? It’s a vegan food justice group that promotes veganism. We work with corporate campaigns helping farm workers and their children by conducting school supply drives. As well as, providing healthy foods to communities through research from the community and local governments.
Do higher income areas have more access to fruits and vegetables in comparison to lower-income areas? That is a challenge that is being faced with being able to access fresh fruits and vegetables. Many outreach programs don’t have the best interest for those communities. There is a vast amount of wealth and it is an injustice to lower-income communities to not have access to healthier options. How do grocery stores compare to those living in higher-income and lower-income areas? There is a huge disparity between both incomes with communities living in lower-income areas having many liquor stores and meat markets compared to higher-income areas who have access to larger stores.
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Does healthy food produce differ in lower-income areas versus higher income areas? Higher-income areas have more access to fresh, frozen and organic produce with more access to a variety of locations. Frozen fruit and vegetables are a huge disparity for lower-income areas to have access. Lower-income areas have a non-existent access to organic fruits and vegetables compared to higher-income areas. How does the quality of produce differ in higher-income and lower-income areas? In higher-income areas the quality of produce is rated as “excellent” or “good” while in lower-income communities it is rated as “fair”. What is the mission of the organization for communities? To have a sustainable world through the power of food choices by having availability of healthy foods to low-income areas. As well as, working with corporations to promote healthy foods to lower-income areas.
