Hungry for Food Justice?

This page will provide an ongoing list of information, action opportunities and upcoming events in the Boston area related to food. If you have an idea for something to add to this page, please send it to aliza dot wasserman at gmail dot com.

Below you will find:

1. Resources on Food Systems and Farm Policy Issues
2. Opportunities to Take Action
3. Upcoming Events in the Boston Area

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1. Resources and Links

A group of Kavodniks recently watched the new documentary Food, Inc at Kendall Cinema and are re-inspired and committed to working on food justice issues. The film addresses opacities in our food system that ought to be more transparent, grouping them into several broad categories. Over the next several weeks, we will be providing information and links to folks who are working around the US and globally to make change in each of these areas:

  • Livestock Issues

A. Meatpacking and Poultry Workers

B. Animal Welfare

C. Food Safety

  • Genetically Modified Food

Combat Monsanto

  • The Hidden Costs of Food
  • Ubiquity of Corn
Other Food Resources
  • Recent series on food on Chicago Public Radio (July 09)
  • Database of books/films on food

2.  Hungry for Food Justice action opportunities


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A. Organize an Eat-In for the National Day of Action to get REAL FOOD in schools- Sept 7, 2009. Contact Aliza to link up with the local Slow Food chapter’s advocacy efforts.

B. The Camapaign for Fair Food, fighting to secure fair wages for tomato pickers in Florida, through the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, is asking Chipotle to join other fast food companies in pledging to pay more for their tomatoes. Building off of the momentum from Food, Inc, they are stepping up their campaign by working with American Rights at Work and faith leaders around the country.

Go to http://action.americanrightsatwork.org/campaign/chipotle to get involved or check out: http://www.ciw-online.org

C. New York state rejected the use of the chemical methyl iodide, commonly used on strawberries, in its borders. And now California’s Governor is considering fast-tracking the use of the same chemical in California agriculture.
Unfortunately, industry is gaining ground, hoping to approve the pesticide for use this summer. 50 scientists, including 5 Nobel Laureates, have expressed “astonishment” that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency would even consider allowing the chemical to be used. Why? Scientists consider the chemical a serious public health threat, especially to the nervous system, and a potential groundwater contaminant.
Call Governor Schwarzenegger today and urge him to allow the public and scientific communities to share their voice–don’t fast-track the approval of Methyl Iodide: (916) 445-2841
Learn more at Pesticide Action Network.

3. Upcoming Boston Food Events

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  • August 2  – Tour de Farms bike tour – contact Mike to join the Kavod House team.
  • August 6th – 5-7 PM Open House Tour for New Entry Sustainable Farming Project  at Richardson’s Dairy Farm, Dracut, MA. RSVP to nesfp@tufts.edu