There’s something about sharing food that brings people together and provides comfort. However, many people do not have access to regular healthy food, nor even the opportunity to gather in the company of others to share a meal.
Now as many people are beginning to witness this inequality around us, more and more grass roots organizations are forming around various neighborhoods to ensure there is more accessibility for everyone to these basic human rights. Food Not Bombs is one of these organizations. It was started over 35 years ago and has over a thousand chapters all over the world.
As described on their website "It is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to nonviolent social change. Food Not Bombs has no formal leaders and strives to include everyone in its decision making process. Each group recovers food that would otherwise be thrown out and makes fresh hot vegan and vegetarian meals that are served outside in public spaces to anyone without restriction."
I had known of the Vancouver chapter for about 8 years or so, as a few of my friends had helped out during the Occupy Movement. And now finally, I am going to take the opportunity to learn more about them and lend a hand for the afternoon.
After contacting one of the organizers via facebook, I was given the address to where everyone preps the food every Sunday afternoon. It turns out that most of the main organizers all live together so that makes it easy for them to meet up. They basically just meet up in the kitchen. How handy is that!?
Today, there are four of the main organizers preparing and cooking, and, well, me.
I'm shown around,...... check!
Meet the roommates,..... check!
Shown the bathroom, ......check!
Introduced to the dog Willa, check!
And off we go!
Here you can see the dinning room table in the living room gets converted to a prepping station, as they all gather around to prepare the food. Most of the food is donated from farmers markets, food Co-ops, and various other places where the food would have gone to waste. Each week is different and the dishes always depend on what was donated that week. This week most of the food was donated from the East End Co-op.
As I helped chop potatoes and apples, I was able to chat with Jay and learn more about what drew her to the organization. Jay has been part of FNB for a year, She shares what she enjoys about FNB, which is the casual feel of the weekly event, and she loves the eclectic group of people it draws, including the people associated with The Free Market which is always held every second Sunday at the same time and location.
As Jay puts it " I like being part of direct action to impact the community. It's a small action but it gets people thinking more radically about actions they can take"
Here are Jay and Mariah testing out their home made gluten free sourdough bread, that was delicious.
Everything is coming along nicely. Most of the dishes are almost done and the others are beginning to load up the van, and when thats all packed up we can head off to Grandview Park which is the regular location of FNB.
Mariah (burgundy jacket), Ethan (in the frog hat), and Brendan (far right) start setting up, It is obvious that they have been doing this for a while together, because everything is set up quickly and efficiently. They have bowls, and cutlery (mostly acquired from the Freemarket) signs of FREE FOOD, as well as a dish washing station where everyone can cleanup after they are done. What was amazing is that no one had to be told to wash the dishes after, they just did it. For those who wanted food but couldn't stay, there were even take away containers, that had been donated to FNB by various people.
Once it was all set up, we all grabbed a bowl and had some lunch while we stood around chatting and inviting others to grab some food and join us. Mariah shares her experiences of the group.
" I just love the mutual aid, intercepting food that would have gone to waste and re purposing it for the community. Also it gets me out of the house on a Sunday afternoon and interacting with all different kinds of people. " says Mariah.
Brendan whom was involved in FNB for 8 years in Melbourne, has been a strong advocate for FNB since he moved to Vancouver. He is no longer able to be there every Sunday due to moving too far away, but he has come back for the day to help out. When I asked him what has kept him part of it for so long, his response was
" Because I believe in it. And it"s fun. I can honestly say there were times in my life where the only thing I looked forward to every week was FNB. It has been gratifying to see the community and the many friendships grow over the years."
During the couple of hours we were there a wide variety of people stopped for lunch, some had been prepared and brought containers to take away, others came just to socialize and eat with friends. A few had no idea that this happened every Sunday and were happily surprised to be offered a free lunch. Many people stopped just to thank us for doing this for those who may need it.
Many individuals have become regular supporters of these Sunday community meals, and often bring their own contributions. For instance, Frank is well known for his brownies. A few people arrived before him awaiting his arrival and of course the brownies.
A fellow named Cameron stayed for the duration and had brought cookies.
Lenn one of the organizers of the Free Market that happens in the same location every other Sunday came to support.
As you can see above, we had a wide array of food options.
Ethan who has been involved strongly for 7 years, randomly bellows " FREE FOOD! ALL ARE WELCOME REGARDLESS OF INCOME!" in order to draw peope in. When he wasn't yelling 'FREE FOOD!", I was able to chat with him, sharing and learning ideas on creating community and living more consciously with less impact on the land. He also shared what has kept him involved in FNB for so many years.
He says " I enjoy the team work of the group, it is the same thing that drew me to activism and occupy and the Free Market. I think its a strong human instinct to be part of something and belong. Nobody should so go with out being fed and no one should go with out feeling welcome. People shouldn't have to spend a lot of money just to eat. "
Shannon stopped by on her way to a potluck. She stayed for a quick snack and chatted about her contribution to the food revolution. Shannon is part of a small non-profit local zine, called the Food Zine, who's values fall directly in line with FNB. Here is Food Zine's mission statement
"Right To Food Zine's mission is to promote the human right to food that is healthy, nutritious, affordable and presented with dignity."
Website here if you want to learn more about Food Zine
Well that pretty much sums up my experience with Food Not Bombs. I'm inspired by the dedicated individuals that put their time and passion in to it. I enjoyed the variety of people that came together for the afternoon because of it, and I am left with gratitude for being able to connect with people in this way.
Driving home I caught this beautiful site of the well known Vancouver crow commute, with the golden light of the sunset reflecting off the highrises as a back drop. It seemed to close off the afternoon perfectly.
I hope this story has helped to open your heart to how beautiful our world really is, even in the midst of the chaos going on, when you actually get close to people you see that most all of them want to contribute and connect in some way.
Till next time!
CAROL WATERS has a passion for building community, and continues to engage and connect people through food, the environment and various community events. She teaches yoga and self healing workshops in studios and rehabilitation centers in her area.
In her free time you will see her spending time in nature with friends and creating new healthy and delicious. recipies in her kitchen.
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