food for thought [pun totally intended]

The residents of Boston know the city to be many things:  it is one of the oldest cities in the country and is the origin of the American revolution.  it established the first public garden, the first subway system, and the first Dunkin Donuts.  it is the first state to legalize gay marriage.  it is unparalleled in its sports teams, schools and universities, and known for its distinct driving methods (as in, hit you once, shame on you…  hit you twice, shame on you).  it brought you Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, John Krasinski and Henry David Thoreau, not to mention five american presidents.  sorry Romney, tough loss.

as a native myself, i can attest to these things.  i love Boston.  it is an intellectual and progressive city composed of a remarkable blend of cultures, innovators, entrepreneurs and policy-makers.  fig newtons are named after my hometown, for goodness sake.  but there is another thing a metropolitan city, such as Boston, is known for…  a characteristic so begotten by the quaintness and elegance of the city many seem to disregard it all together.  i’m talking about poverty.

poverty has always existed.  over the past three decades, markets and market thinking have enjoyed unrivaled prestige and prosperity, namely because no other mechanism for the production and distribution of goods have proved as successful at generating affluence.  and yet, something else is happening.  in a capitalist society where everything is for sale, life is harder for those of modest means.

money matters.  for those who have it as well as for those who don’t…  especially in a society where all things are bought and sold.  but markets and market thinking have begun to seep into other spheres of our society and money has come to buy more than just yachts, sports tickets and fancy vacations:  political influence, good medical care, access to education and quality food.  given the challenges of the widening income gap brought about by greater economic liberalization facilitated by free trade agreements of the 1990s and the global recession of the 2000s, high rates of unemployment and the increased social isolation of poor urban areas have become exacerbated.

poverty has deepened in Boston’s poorest neighborhoods, widening the gap between the city’s wealthiest and neediest residents.  the issue isn’t that we have a market economy…  it’s that we’ve become a market society and these values have infiltrated into our social lives, taking hold to our moral choices and ethical decision-making.

take hunger.  although productivity is up and unemployment has declined in some areas of the state, many people still cannot earn enough money to make ends meet.  there’s plenty of food available, yet there are many economic and political obstacles that prevent healthy and nourishing food from reaching those who need it most:  the 200,000 people subsiding in the urban “ghettos” of Boston, of which nearly a quarter struggle with preventable diseases like obesity and diabetes.

while Boston remains reputable for wealth and achievement, progress and education, nearly 40% of its population is struggling to overcome hunger while depending on limited food accessibility.   Jackson Renshaw and Cassandria Campbell are trying to change that.

their startup project, Fresh Food Generation, is a bold and innovative way to provide a wholesome and affordable food alternative to a population that has historically been deprived of one.  it’s what would happen is social justice and food had a love child together via truck.

Fresh Food Generation will serve a menu of globally inspired recipes using fresh, locally grown ingredients that is accessible for the young adults and families living in these communities.  and considering this is a food blog written by a person who just happens to adore food, social justice, and trucks, i couldn’t be more supportive of what this organization is seeking to accomplish.

the goal is $45,000.  The link to the kickstart page is here.  if you can help in any way…  and believe me, there are many ways, please do so.  donate to it.  spread the word about it.  advocate it.  eat it.  the food, not the kickstarter page.