Day 3: Further thoughts on a “food justice” definition

Scripture contains hundreds of references to the idea of justice: teaching that it is part of the nature of God, commending the doing of justice as the task of a faithful people, calling for injustices to be remedied, and suggesting that the foundation of broad societal justice is for each person to be living in “right relationships.”

The subject of food justice speaks to a very particular kind of justice, in a very particular realm of daily life, but still refers both to acts that foster relationships of fairness and equity, and to acts that attempt to rectify existing injustices.

Food Justice not only includes issues related to how our daily food choices affect the health of our bodies and the health of our planet, but also questions whether our current food system allows all people equal access to healthy food.

Food Justice asks us to consider the working conditions of farmworkers, the practices of food corporations, and the plight of small farmers, whether around the corner or halfway around the world.

Food Justice contemplates a broad spectrum of issues from obesity and poverty to the ingredients on the food label and the distance from farm to market to table.

Food Justice reminds us that every day – three times a day – we support one kind of food system or another, either just or unjust.

Food Justice invites us to see food as a gift, to shop and cook and eat mindfully (rather than mindlessly), and to become aware that greater attention to our food choices can bring us more fully into right relationship with God, our neighbors, the natural world, and our own bodies.

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FEBRUARY 20

Movie Night! Watch this PBS video on Food, Faith and Ethical Eating

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We need your stories!

We’re already looking ahead to the 40 Days for Food Justice Project for 2016 and we’re looking for more stories, experiences, prayers and resources about food justice and food injustice.
If you would like to contribute – or would like to recommend a contributor – please send us an email and let us know.

About:

In addition to being the founder and editor-in-chief of the “40 Days for Food Justice Project”, the Rev. MargaretAnne Overstreet is a mom, a Presbyterian pastor, and a certified Health Coach. She does ministry with and among the good people of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Belleville, Illinois, where she gets her hands dirty in the community garden and, every Sunday, preaches with bare feet. She treasures family time, relishes every opportunity to teach and write about food justice, and loves to play outside with her dogs. Find out more about her at www.AnInBetweenPlace.com