How is food connected to institutional racism?
How has the consolidation of supermarkets and the health-food industry affected the ability of people in lower-income neighborhoods to eat in a healthy way? I think too much focus is placed on holding corporate supermarkets and health-food stores accountable. While communities should keep one eye on corporate supermarkets and health-food stores, most of their energy should go into creating community-based solutions to solve food insecurity. If places of worship, neighborhood associations, community-based organizations, and the like took the lead in supplying communities with food, with the creation of gardens, urban farms, independently owned grocery stores, community-supported agriculture (CSAs), and food co-ops, these institutions would not only address food insecurity but also have the potential to spur economic development, community beautification, youth empowerment, and a host of actions that would strengthen disempowered communities.
