October 16 is World Food Day, which is intended to increase awareness, action, and impact to alleviate the worldwide problem of hunger. In 2009, the critical threshhold of 1 billion people suffering from chronic hunger was reached, forcing us to reassess our strategies for combating this problem. Hunger is not a result of food scarcity, but of poverty, vulnerability, conflict, and the lack of sustainable practices. Hunger is a result of the deep rooted inequalities in our nation and around the world, and requires a redistribution of power in order to affect change.
It is not a coincidence that a low-income community of color, with a history of environmental injustices faces these same structural inequalities. In South Texas, 1 in 5 residents is unable to meet her/his nutritional needs; agricultural industry workers are unable to afford the healthy food they help produce; and counties are ranked among the most unhealthy in the state.
It is not a coincidence that a low-income community of color, with a history of environmental injustices faces these same structural inequalities. In South Texas, 1 in 5 residents is unable to meet her/his nutritional needs; agricultural industry workers are unable to afford the healthy food they help produce; and counties are ranked among the most unhealthy in the state.
World Food Day is about action on a community level, and on this day we hope to bring awareness to a conversation that is essential for San Antonio. It is a conversation about the inequity in power, access, and participation in our food choices. We will be working more in the coming months on the issue of food justice and hope to see you in our jardin and others, claiming your right to healthy, sustainable, affordalble food!
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