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Food Justice. Fostering the inherent worth & dignity of every person and nurturing the interdependent web of all existence. Background. According to Feeding America,20.4% of people in Philadelphia are Food Insecure - That’s 312,890 people who don’t have enough food to nourish themselves
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Food Justice Fostering the inherent worth & dignity of every person and nurturing the interdependent web of all existence
Background • According to Feeding America,20.4% of people in Philadelphia are Food Insecure - That’s 312,890 people who don’t have enough food to nourish themselves • 84,140 of them are children • In over 26% of households in Philadelphia’s 1st District in 2010, a family member went hungry
Background (cont.) • What and how we eat has broad implications for our planet and society • The mass production of our food supply has resulted in the degradation of our environment and the mistreatment of animals and workers in food production. • The food choices we make at every meal have a far-reaching impact on the world in which we live and all the beings that we share it with.
Relevance to First Unitarian • As UUs, we affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person. A part of this affirmation recognizes the need of every person to be nourished, with an adequate supply of healthy food and clean water. • We strive for a world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all. This includes food justice.
Relevance to First U (cont.) • We affirm respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. This interdependent web includes the animals we use for food, the environment that we utilize to create that food, and our responsibility to protect both.
Possible Projects • Educational programs to foster a congregation knowledgeable and well-informed on the issues of hunger, sustainability and the ethical implications of our food choices. • Inter-generational projects to include the RE program • Beginning with a local Philadelphia focus
Possible Projects (cont.) • Partnering with an urban community farm like the one sponsored by Kensington Neighborhood Advisory Council in Philly’s first District (the most impoverished). • Partnering with Philabundance for food drives and other projects. • Partnering with the Food Trust, specifically with their Farm to School programs.
Possible Projects (cont.) • Introducing and promoting Meatless Mondays for the congregation. • Integrating more plant-based alternatives in food oriented ministries, such as the Winter Shelter and any other outreach we become involved in. • Partnering with a local CSA or urban farm, such as Greensgrow & the Philly Sustainability Projects.
Measurable Goals and Objectives • First Year • Have congregation participate in the 40/40/42 challenge making daily changes to impact food and environmental justice • Two worship services focusing on food justice • Intergenerational food drive in partnership with Philabundance • Implement Sustainability Movie Series • Congregational Food Choice Self-assessment – Pre- and post-implementation.
Measurable Goals and Objectives • Second Year • Partner with community urban garden or CSA • Two worship services focusing on food justice • Implement Sustainability Reading Group. • Integrate sustainable, plant-based alternatives in community outreach projects and congregational activities – Winter Shelter and Pot Lucks/Celebrations • Third Year • Go global with organizations such as Food First and Small Planet Institute which address world-wide hunger and sustainability.
A Little Advice from The Lorax… Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. Dr. Seuss, The Lorax