Food Justice: The Confusion Resolved by Alvin Alleyne-Lovell


Hello, Readers.
I have come to the conclusion that most people do not understand what “Food Justice” is. The reason for the confusion is the term: Food Justice. So I will tailor the definition of Food Justice to make the term easier to understand. Food Justice is a confusing term. I mean, what does Food Justice mean by “food” and how does it have anything to do with justice? Is there a crime-fighting vegetable out there defending our right to eat healthy? Or are there food cops that go out into neighborhoods inspecting whether or not Cindy or Bob are eating organic food? The correlation between food and justice is a lost concept to many. However, I’m a benevolent person and I would never leave my readers mystified about the ongoing of Food Justice, so if it is allowed, I will explain the unusual term that is Food Justice.

Food is what we eat; it allows for us to do incredible things like walk or get up in the morning. However, our current food system has caused us to rethink what food means. Private-owned food companies have twisted the concept of food. In this era, food is a way to endorse the branding of a fast food chain rather than providing food for people in need. Fast food companies seek only to satiate the over-indulging addiction that is greased-up, fat-laced fast food. In March 21, 2010 there was a piece of legislation passed that forced all fast food chains in more than 20 locations to list nutritional facts, calories, fat etc. on all food products. However; the ways to obtain this information are incredibly difficult. Take for instance: McDonald’s nutrition fact sheets are not posted anywhere visible. These nutritional facts may give families reason to change their minds on eating at fast food restaurants or at least think twice about getting a specific food item. This community that we have is not for show, so let’s mobilize and become aware of the food injustices that plague our young people’s stomachs.

Food Justice in communities has existed even before the food justice phrase was coined. The oldest form of food justice was called the “free produce movement.” The free produce movement was a boycott against goods produced by slave labor. The movement started due to members of communities feeling that slavery was unjust. The free produce movement restricted consumers into only buying produce created from non-slave labor but from paid men and women. The movement began in the 1790s and ended in the 1860s in the United States or did it? The free produce movement has transcended and evolved into a much more complex idea that focuses on the well-being of all individuals regardless of creed or race, called Food Justice.

Food Justice is composed of buying organic food, being aware of the current corruption of the food system and encouraging small agriculture business to flourish. Organic food offers multiple benefits that may not be apparent short-term but will ensure the health of you and your loved ones in the future. The corruption of the food system has resulted in the focus on “gogurt” and “lunchables” while ignoring healthy foods. Have you recently seen a commercial on buying fruits or vegetables? No. But, I bet that you can remember a Reese’s or Snickers’ commercial. The sad fact is that our food system is failing us and luring us into unhealthy habits that will affect future generations. Buying from local farms will encourage the production of healthy food in more areas and helps us create better food habits. Eating healthy encompasses the right to live a healthy life while enjoying food that not only tastes delicious but is low in calories too.

At first, I believed that “Food Justice was just a fad,” only created to emphasis the always present health issues associated with “fatty” foods. But, as always, with research comes revelations. I have realized that Food Justice isn’t a shibboleth. Food Justice represents a universal pursuit of food equality that truly demonstrates a community that strives for the future each and every day.