This week, Lily faces the future. Having committed to work in sustainable food, her job search links the future of her career with the future of our food supply, our national security, and our very existence. No pressure, right? It’s a good thing she’s got grace to spare.
Thanks to the good people at the South Bronx Food Co-op for a great year
This is my last week at the South Bronx Food Co-op. As an Americorps VISTA for the New York City Coalition Against Hunger, I served this country in the South Bronx, working to build capacity in a small, struggling, well-meaning non-for-profit organization whose mission is: “To provide affordable and nutritious food to all residents of the South Bronx (and NYC) while empowering the local community by encouraging good health, providing relevant job skills and fostering environmentally responsible activities through democratic cooperation.” Having taken the same oath which the president of the United States takes, I entered into a year of service at the perfect time: fresh out of college, a little experience, a rough job market and the willingness to live on $13,330 of salary for one year, minus taxes, plus food stamps, basic medical, transportation and the invaluable acquisition of experience and connections. The recession special.
I consider the past year now as I look to the future. There was a discouraging article in the New York Times last week, just in time to get pumped for what lies ahead. The end of July means the end of my service and the start of the search for the elusive job. Now there’s an endangered species. One of my friends’ semi-permanent status message is “funemployed.” Talk about optimism. As long as we have bad puns, everything is going to be A-O.K.
I recently interviewed at City Harvest for another resume building year-long position. City Harvest is the city’s first food rescue organization. According to their website, we’ve been wasting 28 million pounds of food per year (lets face it, more) and 260,000 (let’s face it, more) people are going hungry, or at least not well-fed in this city alone. Entire communities; large, tax paying, market-producing, poverty stricken communities in NYC are ignored, disenfranchised and manipulated by a myriad of corporate and political forces. All for profit’s sake. To think that our society wastes food like it wastes so much else, while our fellow country-men go hungry! Twenty-eight million pounds! And we’re supposed to feel warm and fuzzy about so-called “economic development” policies which displace problems or at best attempt to counteract them with some some other top-down approach? Take a look at the mayor’s FRESH program—sounds great on paper, but only stores over 6,000 square feet, 500 square feet of which has to be packed with quickly-spoiling produce, are eligible. In English, that means “Sorry, Joe Shmo’s Family Owned Grocery Store, this is a corporate-only pot. No soup for you.” Is reaffirming business as usual what’s really going to stimulate a faltering economy? Shouldn’t we be giving tax incentives for local, small businesses which have the ability to both serve the unique needs of local communities and keep those precious dollars in the neighborhood? The list of problems is long indeed, and daunting. The past year has opened my eyes to all kinds of food access and quality issues. What is promising is that awareness is rising and lots of people are pissed.
I am definitely hopping on this bandwagon. My goal is to find a job in one of the many organizations in this city that address issues of hunger and food justice. I urge you to think about ways you can contribute to mend our broken food system. I think Carolyn is right on point with the CSA and the chickens. I’ve been looking at some innovative ways to grow my own food though I’m not sure I can be trusted. My zucchini plant’s leaves are dropping like flies. What I do know is that feeding ourselves is a matter of national security and our nation’s health is at stake. I’m putting my money where my mouth is.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Kudos on maintaining your focus on food justice work. I wish you the best of luck in your hunt.
GREAT first post Lily! It inspired me, just like Carolyn’s posts ALWAYS do. I hope to be more involved in solving these issues as well, because, I agree, the system is very broken!
Thank you, Lily, for your inspiring passion and commitment. Please keep us posted on your job search, and the very, very best of luck to you.
And thank you, Carolyn, for sharing Lily’s story with us!