The readings for this week dive into the term "justice" (Alkon & Agyeman) but bring to light many facets of what it means in relation to food. In the articles, food access, migrant farm conditions, and alternative food options are discussed.
Just as the sub-urbanization of cities have driven people to the suburbs, supermarkets and grocery stores have followed suit, leaving urban centers as food deserts. This greatly reduces access to healthy options and pushes a heavy reliance on canned and processed goods, which in turn greatly limits the residents’ health. Through several case studies presented in Gottlieb and Joshi (2013), grocery gaps--"the lack of full service food markets with affordable items including fresh food, within walking distance" can be seen in low income neighborhoods (both rural and urban) across the United States. Though areas with large grocery gaps tend to be economically depressed, liquor stores, fast food chains, and quick marts flood the area. This combination proves to be dividing, as links have been identified between food insecurity and health related disparities based on race,ethnicity, and income (Gottlieb & Joshi, 2013). Despite the growing number of urban farms, farmers' markets, and food coalitions, grocery gaps can be seen in several neighborhoods throughout Tallahassee.
Just as the sub-urbanization of cities have driven people to the suburbs, supermarkets and grocery stores have followed suit, leaving urban centers as food deserts. This greatly reduces access to healthy options and pushes a heavy reliance on canned and processed goods, which in turn greatly limits the residents’ health. Through several case studies presented in Gottlieb and Joshi (2013), grocery gaps--"the lack of full service food markets with affordable items including fresh food, within walking distance" can be seen in low income neighborhoods (both rural and urban) across the United States. Though areas with large grocery gaps tend to be economically depressed, liquor stores, fast food chains, and quick marts flood the area. This combination proves to be dividing, as links have been identified between food insecurity and health related disparities based on race,ethnicity, and income (Gottlieb & Joshi, 2013). Despite the growing number of urban farms, farmers' markets, and food coalitions, grocery gaps can be seen in several neighborhoods throughout Tallahassee.
Often times when I hear the
phrases “food justice” “food insecurity” “food gardens” and/or “food desert”
the image that comes to mind is often a dense, urban area, swamped with liquor
stores and fast food franchises. I never realized how often I forget about the
people who grow the food that stocks the shelves at Publix or Trader Joes. A few months ago I went to an area on the border of Florida and Georgia where many farm and factory workers lived. As I looked around, I realized that food injustice is not only manifested in in poor urban centers, or even rural areas, but in the very same place where our food is grown, packaged, and shipped. Leaving the migrant farm, it left me emotionally drained (seriously, I slept the entire way home, condolences to my dear friend Jesse who drove me) and made me wonder how to continue
Is the way to support them by boycotting Publix by growing my own tomatoes? How do we best support organizations like CIW?
Your post really touches on the greater implications of food injustice on the spatial-physical landscape. The location of supermarkets have impacted urban centers through their relocating into suburban areas. This makes it harder for those in the inner city or low income area to access healthy foods, since their neighborhoods can probably only afford the liquor stores or fast food chains you mentioned. However, I have hope in urban gardening, and I believe that using it as a tool in comprehensive planning to combat food insecurity is part of the plan to reduce food injustice. Through utilizing unused space to grow fruits and vegetables those who suffer from poor nutrition and diet can gain power in their local food system. Likewise, they can educate themselves and their neighbors about healthy eating, so as to change their consumption patterns to bring healthier food suppliers to the area. However, healthier foods would need to be cheaper for this to be completely successful.
ReplyDeleteMel, I'm glad you ended your post with questions! We wouldn't be very good scholars if we weren't looking for answers to questions. I think that by "boycotting" (in whatever way) would actually be worse for the people you're trying to help. If the farmers don't have a market to consume their products, then the workers won't have a product to manufacture much longer. By stepping back from those places, the people who depend on their success might lose their jobs and only be further depraved from what you're trying to provide them. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't grow your own veggies or support a local farm. Instead, it could mean that you support all three of those endeavors. You probably can't grow everything you need (or want!) yourself, so you might have to buy produce from Public every now and then. You can support the local farms by picking up greens or volunteering. To support the workers you feel for, I would suggest finding a local produce shop (like Tomatoland--RIP). They have waaay lower prices than the grocery store, and you can ask them about where they buy they're produce from. Chances are, you're helping the workers you met, supporting local business, and giving your wallet some relief. In my experience, the owners and employees of these kinds of shops are so kind and when they don't remember the price of something they'll sell it to you for really cheap. There's a local place in my hometown that I love to frequent and they have a deli with phenomenal Cuban sandwiches, but my favorite one in Winter Park, Eat More Produce, closed almost a year ago. They had a boal's head deli counter and a lot of people would stop in just for a sandwich. They also had a juice and smoothie bar and once when I was there they made an whole extra smoothie by mistake for someone else and they just gave it to me. And it was amazing. Okay now I'm rambling. Yay local business!
ReplyDeleteI think that the chapter in Alkon and Agyeman's "Cultivating Food Justice" exploring the meaning of social justice in food movements was very enlightening, and you bring up some of the pitfalls of localist food movements they mention, such as the frequency with which local food advocates overlook issues of farmworker rights. I remember when the CIW came to my high school in 2010 with their traveling exhibit "The Florida Modern Day Slavery Museum". It was a very eye-opening experience for me personally, as I was just beginning to explore the local food movement. I had helped establish a food garden at my school and was active in the farmers' markets around town where we sold our produce, but "food justice" was not really on my radar yet. When the Modern Day Slavery Museum came to town it helped to transform my health-concerned ("worried well") local food advocate mentality into an interest in food justice and an awareness of the exploitation of agricultural workers. I think we can aid organizations like the CIW by boycotting, and I know that Wendy's is another business that has not joined the Fair Food Program. I also know that there is an upcoming Workers' Voice Tour to further the campaign against Wendy's in early March, but unfortunately it won't be stopping in Tallahassee (it will be in Gainesville on March 11th though).
ReplyDelete"Despite the growing number of urban farms, farmers' markets, and food coalitions, grocery gaps can be seen in several neighborhoods throughout Tallahassee." I think this is a good observation, and it is clear that Tallahassee has a ways to go before underserved communities have equal access to healthy foods, even with progressive efforts such as the Frenchtown Farmers' Market and community garden projects. Your statement also reminded me of a quote from the readings on making local, healthy food more than just a luxury for those who can afford it, "Rather than creating an alternative economy for the homogeneous few, reflexive localism could work across difference, and thereby make a difference, for everyone." (DuPuis et al., 2011).