Food Politics
Opinions and discussions about the politics of food, food insecurity, economic development, and environmental issues. Our approach is interdisciplinary and intended to challenge the way we think.
Kids’ Kitchen: Class Act
Oftentimes, those in the lower 48 (states in the U.S.) forget to include Alaska (and Hawaii) in discussions of childhood hunger. But hunger exists everywhere. Unfortunately. In Anchorage, Alaska, Kids’ Kitchen collects food and provides free nutritious meals for children. Having served over 1 million meals already, this nonprofit was started by newspaper editor-turned philanthropist “Grandpa [...]
St. Petersburg Urban Gardening Club: Class Act
Environmental activism in post-soviet Russia used to be the country’s most dynamic and effective forms of social activism. In contemporary Russia, however, activists face severe obstacles in promoting green issues. The Saint Petersburg Urban Gardening Club, founded as early as 1993, is still struggling with the authorities’ acknowledgments of its important work. However, getting the [...]
The Ecorium Project: Class Act
It is not surprise that South Korea has been the site of some amazing architecture and building in its cities. But one doesn’t always think of green in its major cities. The Ecorium Project, an initiative of the National Ecological Institute of South Korea, offers a giant nature reserve and research facility housed in giant [...]
Sunshine School Laos: Class Act
Participating in the Dream Garden Project in 2011, the Sunshine School Laos has created spent two years transforming their former yard full of mosquito pools and rubble to a vibrant school garden. With the help of volunteers to make it happen, the children were instrumental in designing the garden. Volunteers from Australia offered their expertise [...]
La Semilla Food Center: Class Act
La Semilla Food Center works in southern New Mexico and El Paso, Texas, to build a local, sustainable, self-reliant foodshed. Through community gardens, greenhouses, youth programs, and technical assistance, La Semilla is grounded in the belief that everyone should have access to affordable, healthy food, as well as the importance of local food in vibrant [...]
Marathon Kids: Class Kids
Building healthy habits include more than healthy eating, it is also about physical exercise. Marathon Kids aims to build healthy habits for exercise in various cities in Austin, Dallas, Houston, El Paso, Rio Grande Valley, Los Angeles, and Baltimore. For seventeen years, the organization has developed a free program for children K-5 to run/walk 26.2 [...]
Urban Agriculture Basel: Class Act
It is no surprise that Switzerland is home to many urban gardens. Basel has been called a “magical jewel” of microfarms and gardens. Urban Agriculture Basel is one of the organizations working to honor traditional form of Swiss agriculture by making farming “mini.” Supporting growers in urban areas, it seeks to support locally- and ecologically-grown [...]
Western Growers Foundation: Class Act
Western Growers Foundation seeks to “create an edible garden in every interested Arizona and California school.” Can you imagine why a school would not be interested? For over 80 years, Western Growers has been compromised of farmers in the two states. The foundation is the association’s outreach program, having given over $700K to over 500 [...]
The Veggie Project: Class Act
Started as a Vanderbilt dissertation project, The Veggie Project has since become a collaborative project with the Monroe Carell, Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and other youth organizations in Nashville. It seeks to combat childhood obesity, family nutrition, and food insecurity, particularly in the city’s food deserts. By recruiting youth to sit on the Youth [...]
American Lunch: TidBit of the Day
University of Alabama alum Chatham Morgan realized that food trucks are just for hipsters. A course on servant leadership planted an idea in him that addresses the lack of food, money, and transportation options for many needy people. So he bought a food truck and started American Lunch. This nonprofit is sponsored by two [...]
