By: Chiquita McAllister
We are excited at NC A&T as a part of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems to lead a planning effort to address structural racism in the food system. We are currently a part of national efforts as a member of the Inter-Institutional Network for Food and Agricultural Sustainability (INFAS), a part of the Good Food Network led by the Union of Concerned Scientists along with other institutions and organizations like the Center for Social Inclusion (NYC) and the Rural Coalition and the National Farm to School Network, among others. Our initial efforts, which are funded by the WK Kellogg Foundation, include the development of a cross-campus initiative that engages students, faculty and staff across colleges and departments to address strucutural racism in the food system. We are also compiling resources and research that has taken place around this issue, and reaching out to other universities and institutions of higher learning to learn more about other efforts that are taking place on this topic.
This initiative coincides with the release of a report released by the Center for Social Inclusion (CSI) and written by NC A&T Extension Associate and 2013 CSI Food Equity Fellow,, Shorlette Ammons, that examines efforts by women of color around the South to address food systems inequities. Here's info about the report along with a link to the report:
CSI Food Equity Fellow Shorlette Ammons describes the realities of current and past food systems from the perspectives of Southern women of color. Shorlette draws from her personal story, U.S. history, and the legacy of women of color food workers and activists, to show we can create racial equity in the food system.
Interviewees include former Congresswoman Eva Clayton, who brings a needed perspective based on her global anti-hunger work and passion for rural communities; Tavia Benjamin and Hermelinda Cortes, who both offer millennial insight on the intersectionality of issues that lead to economic and health disparity; finally, Daa’iyah Salaam and Greta Gladney offer a grassroots perspective that provides a direct link between what is happening on the ground and the policies that are needed to impact change.
Some videos on the topic:
Intro to Wayne County: http://youtu.be/3ncA71ivcyQ
History of the Wayne Food Initiative: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ncA71ivcyQ
Wayne County Library Garden: http://youtu.be/nzjtaLVEBpc
There will be a webinar on this topic coming soon!
