Food is a fundamental part of how we live. However, not everyone has the same access to affordable, healthy food. While there are many aspects of food justice, some of the issues it encompasses are food access, land ownership, farm workers’ rights, and ways to address the historical injustices within the food industry. EJC works towards creating just food systems and strengthening community relationships with farmers and the food we eat.
EJC Food Justice Resources
10 Principles of Earth-Friendly, Healthy Eating
Check out our resource on healthy eating that offers invaluable guidance for individuals looking to make conscious and sustainable choices in their diet.
Announcing 2024 Come to the Table Conference
Set for October 3-4, 2024, the two-day conference will take place at Word Tabernacle Church in Rocky Mount, NC. The guiding theme for the conference is “Food, Land, and Sacred Stories,” which will explore these pieces as individual concepts and as a continual thread through the lens of race and equity.
With a special emphasis on lived stories, the conference will incorporate storytelling and story-making in several different mediums. We hope you will mark down October 3-4, 2024, on your calendar.
Food Justice Partners
Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI-USA)
Ways to Take Action
Discover The School for Food Justice, Faith, and Storytelling Application
Join Come to the Table, a program of RAFI-USA, at The School for Food Justice, Faith, and Storytelling, where faith leaders collaborate to uncover hunger’s root causes and challenge dominant narratives. Gain the skills to tell compelling stories that spark transformative conversations in your community. Plan to implement a ministry to combat food insecurity and cultivate a just food system. The cost is $50, with two registrations for the price of one if you bring a colleague. Scholarships are available upon request. Sessions will be held virtually on Zoom from September 28 to November 16. Contact David Allen at david@rafiusa.org or 984-214-2816 for more information or to enroll. Click here for more information.
Make a Positive Impact in your Day-to-Day Life
Reducing your carbon footprint through food choices is an effective way to contribute to a more sustainable environment. Here are several ways you can achieve this:
- Eat plant-based foods: Plant-based foods have a lower carbon footprint compared to foods heavy in animal products. Focus on incorporating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and plant-based proteins into your meals. Limit your consumption of meat, especially beef and lamb, which have higher greenhouse gas emissions.
- Choose Locally Sourced, Seasonal Foods: Opt for locally grown produce and seasonal foods. Locally sourced food reduces transportation emissions, supports local farmers, and often has a smaller environmental impact.
- Reduce Food Waste: Food waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Plan your meals, make a shopping list, and only purchase what you need. Properly store leftovers and use them in future meals. Compost food scraps if possible.
- Grow Your Own Food: If you have space, consider growing some of your own fruits, vegetables, or herbs. This reduces transportation emissions and ensures you have access to fresh, organic produce.
- Be Mindful of Food Transportation: Choose locally produced foods whenever possible to reduce the carbon emissions associated with long-distance transportation. Be aware of the carbon footprint of imported foods and try to opt for locally grown alternatives.
- Certainly! Here’s an additional point:
- Avoid Industrial-Farmed Meat: Industrial livestock production, also known as factory farming, has a significant environmental impact. Choose meat that comes from animals raised using sustainable and ethical practices, such as organic or pasture-raised options. Consider reducing your overall meat consumption and exploring plant-based alternatives as well.
- Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed about sustainable food practices and share your knowledge with others. Encourage friends, family, and your community to make environmentally friendly food choices.
Even small changes in your eating habits can have a significant positive impact over time. It’s about making conscious choices and continuously striving to reduce your carbon footprint through sustainable food practices.