In the Land of Plenty
Spring is a marvelous time to live in Southern California. While the rest of the country is still pulling itself out of winter we’re enjoying the first harvests of the year – avocados, strawberries, squash, melons. We are so spoiled with fresh, local food here and I think it probably gives us a warped sense of reality when it comes to when fruits and vegetables are traditionally in season.
Despite this, however, a growing percentage of Californians do not have easy access to fresh and affordable produce. While the rest of us are joining the “localvore” movement and demanding that our food come from the neighbor’s farm, many low-income communities are seeing their only supermarket close down, forcing them to rely on 7/11 and the local fast food chains for their nutrition.
Even within the school system the disparity is painfully evident. While the upper and middle income parents are often able to pack a nutritious lunch for their students, the lower-income students have to rely on the Free and Reduced Lunch Program for their breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner. Those of you that watched the terrific Jamie Oliver show “Food Revolution” know that school districts are strapped for cash and so they are providing the lowest cost food to the students, sacrificing nutrition for processed food that simply fills empty bellies.
Recently, I was able to listen to a lecture by the very dynamic Chef Ann. For those of you that haven’t heard of her, she is the “Renegade Lunchlady” who has made it her mission to improve school lunches. What I love about her is that she’s not satisfied with transforming a school district or two (though she’s performed miracles in Boulder and Berkley) she’s going straight to the top and working with lawmakers in Washington to give just $1 per student for the school lunch program.
Thankfully, she’s not the only one concerned
NPR had a piece a few weeks ago that talked about this very issue. Ex-military leaders testified on Capitol Hill that “more than a quarter of young adults are unable to meet physical requirements to join the military, creating a potential threat to national security”. Seriously?! The kids are too fat to be sent to war?! If that doesn’t get Washington’s attention I’m not sure what will.
The good thing is that more and more people are getting involved in the food justice crisis that is going on right here in the US. Please help the cause - go to http://www.lunchboxadvocates.org and send a letter to your elected official (they provide a handy template, all you have to do is enter in your contact information and they’ll send the note to your Senators and Congressperson).
Check out more here:
“What’s In Your Lunchbox” PSA-School Lunch Act from Creative Intelligence on Vimeo.
Zomppa is all about connecting people with things that matter in their own communities and I hope that we can be a strong voice in the fight for food equality! 
Category: Featured Articles: Food Politics, Featured Articles: Health & Nutrition, Food Politics, Health & Nutrition, Travel & Culture, US & Canada
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- Jumpified Me | Zomppa - Food, Meet People | May 29, 2010
The same problem exist here in New York, low-income residents prefer to shop at grocery stores or bodegas with limited or no fresh produce. Many don’t know how to cook fresh produce. And, some don’t like the taste of fresh produce, because their taste buds has been numbed with excessive amounts of corn syrup, sweeteners, salt and artificial flavors.
I’ve actually had a difficult time trying to buy more local foods – it seems all the local farmers begin selling their products in June. Makes me sad to know so much of my food is from far away