Tabla de contenidos para The Food Edition en The Goodnewspaper

Community gardens are a great avenue for social and food justice — but they often leave out folks with disabilities. This exclusion occurs through inaccessible gardens, food banks that do not accommodate allergies or food limitations, or even an inherent belief that the definition of health is the “opposite of disability.” Additionally, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, disabled adults were two times more likely to face food insecurity in 2020 than their non-disabled counterparts. However, helpers across the country are working to shift the tides. Take nonprofit Kelly’s Kitchen, for example, which is creating a national network of food organizations that have accessible and accountable options for people with disabilities. “In the past, people have tried to solve [the food access] issue for able-bodied people… and then they…

When most of us think about food, we’re probably itching for a craving', planning our next meal, or even thinking about next week’s grocery list. However, food indeed has power beyond what we might initially think. Mapua University in the Philippines is home to engineering student Carvey Ehren Maigue, who created a solar panel that does not require direct sunlight — using the luminescent particles from fruit and vegetable waste. Just like they do in crops, the particles in these panels absorb the sun’s ultraviolet rays and turn them into visible light. Then, the panels are able to convert this harvested light into electricity. Of 78 local crops tested in the development process, nine showed high potential to be used in the panels. They were crushed, juiced, and filtered to…

GOOD Check out Feeding America’s podcast: “Elevating Voices, Ending Hunger.” This conversational series will help humanize and bring to life the experiences of food insecurity and inspire you to help. BETTER Make a monetary donation to your local food bank! These donations (as opposed to food donations) give food banks the flexibility to buy specific items its patrons want and need most. BEST Volunteer your time at a local food bank or mutual aid network. You can help pack and distribute food supplies, bring lived experiences about cultural dishes to the table, and truly make a difference for your neighbors.…

Pick Up Limes offers a wealth of resources and information on healthy living, with a focus on plant-based nutrition and lifestyle tips. Sadia Badiei and her team feature accessible tools like grocery shopping lists, cooking tutorials, and self-care tips. Zero-Waste Chef offers a treasure trove of tips and tricks on how to live a waste-free life without sacrificing taste or fun. Her blog is full of creative recipes, easy-tofollow instructions, and witty commentary that will make you laugh and learn at the sa e time. Litterless is your new go-to blog for simple and imperfect zero-waste living resources. The site maintains two directories (“Where to Bulk Shop” and “Where to Compost”) of guides organized by states that can help you find local businesses within your community to support.…

Perhaps you’ve been there: Enjoying a simple cup of yogurt, when suddenly, the next spoonful you put in your mouth is absolutely revolting — for no reason other than the fact that you can feel the yogurt in your mouth. Perhaps there have been days when you’ve forgotten to eat altogether because it simply hadn’t crossed your mind until you’re ten minutes from fainting. Or perhaps — the most common case of all — you find yourself without the energy to cook, so you order takeout because it’s the most accessible way to get food in your body. While these situations might happen to anyone, they are especially common for neurodivergent folks. For people with ADHD and autism, eating can get lost in the wave of suppressed appetite side effects,…

As many of us have experienced, a number of sexist, racist jokes rely on the antiquated narratives of women “belonging” in the kitchen, or family matriarchs making certain cultural dishes. These jokes are not only built on harmful stereotypes, but they contain a painful truth, too: Women of color are disproportionately discriminated against in the food economy. While the restaurant industry employs over 11 million workers and is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the U.S., restaurant workers experience poverty at nearly three times the rate of workers overall. Most impacted by the wage inequality of the industry? Women of color. According to a 2017 report from McKinsey & Company, women of color made up only 14% of entry-level positions in the food industry — and only 3% of executive…

About 34% of all annual human-made greenhouse gas emissions are generated by our food systems, according to the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre. While reducing meat consumption and being more thoughtful about food waste are great ways to reduce our personal carbon footprint, we also need the help of innovative technologies and solutions to keep that number down. In Stockholm, Sweden, a restaurant is piloting carbon-absorbing aprons that capture greenhouse gas from the air. The aprons, designed by the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA), are treated with an amine-containing solution that attracts carbon dioxide and stores the carbon on the surface of the textile. “Many power plants have to scrub as much carbon dioxide as they can out of the air before the exhaust is released,”…

GOOD Check out Kristie Cabrera’s blog “Growing Food In This Body,” which aims to dismantle ableism in food and nature spaces and bolster ideas of comunity responsibility. kristiecabrera.com/blog/growing-food-in-this-body BETTER Donate to organizations like Kelly’s Kitchen to help fund educational resources on inclusive food justice and create a nationwide network of accessible food pantries. kellys-kitchen.org BEST Improve community gardens and food pantries in your area by encouraging the formation of a people-with-disabilities-led task force and the implementation of meaningful accommodations.…

The neighborhood of Bonton in South Dallas, Texas has faced generations of systemic racial oppression that has contributed to poor health outcomes, a lack of economic stability, and limited access to affordable housing, education, and transportation. However, the community behind Bonton Farms predicts a different future. Bonton Farms’s founder Daron Babock started the organization in a small garden lot, and it has since blossomed into two fully functioning farms, a farmer’s market, and a cafe and coffee house. But the good stuff doesn’t stop with fresh produce. Bonton Farms provides community members with nutritional counseling and cooking classes, career mentorship (especially for formerly incarcerated folks), and a rent-to-own housing program. “Just like a seed we know that every human being has the potential to live a healthy, prosperous life if…

Think about the last time you were hungry. Did you want a simple can of beans or a plain piece of bread? Or did you want a nutritious and tasty option; like a big bowl of ramen, or a bangin’ burrito? Chances are, you were looking for something specific, something that brought you comfort and sustenance. The same is true for folks experiencing food insecurity. The truth is, food insecurity is part of a huge system of racism and injustice that keeps people in different communities from accessing basic needs, and the organizations helping those people must be intentional about the items they serve. A stellar example is MAMA, a drive-by-kitchen in LA’s Koreatown dedicated to preserving immigrant culture through food. MAMA has created a Meal Match Program so that…

Only 2% of breweries in the United States are owned by women, according to the Brewer’s Association. However, Lady Justice Brewing, an all-woman-owned community-focused brewery in Aurora, Colorado, shows that there is power in reimagining the industry. The brewery honors legends like Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Marsha P. Johnson with a colorful mural, and beers are named after historical icons like Sandra Day O’Connor (the Double Sandra Day IPA even got a thumbs-up from the woman herself), but their mission goes beyond sipping a cold one with the girls. Lady Justice dedicates its time, space, and money to nonprofit partners that support and empower women, girls, and nonbinary people in Colorado. The brewery offers a “Community-Supported Beer” membership, with 100% of profits going directly to these organizations. All three owners…

GOOD It goes without saying, but tip well. Folks who work in the service industry have demanding jobs, often receive miniscule wages, and work hard to provide good service for customers. Have their backs. BETTER Consider purchasing an extra entree or gift card for a neighbor experiencing homelessness. Better yet, invite them in for a meal with you, or provide cash so they can choose what they want to eat. BEST Support a nonprofit restaurant, culinary training program, or an establishment that donates extra food to those in need. By investing in these initiatives, more people can enjoy good food!…

In 2017, the USDA found that out of 57,000 farmers in New York state, only 139 were Black. That’s an inequity Karen Washington has been fighting for over three decades. Washington co-founded the organization Black Urban Growers in 2010 to build networks of community support for Black growers in agrarianism, and in 2019, she helped create the Black Farmer Fund, which helps remove barriers to land, resources, and capital for farmers. “We were brought here from Africa because we were agrarian people. This country’s economic system was built on the backs of enslaved and Indigenous people,” Washington told the Guardian. “We have been brainwashed to think we played no role, but we need to redirect the falsehood into truth and power." Washington’s work has shaped so much of food and…

GOOD Engage with diverse food stories. The Female Farmer Project chronicles women in agriculture around the world (femalefarmerproject.org), and Woke Foods shares vegan Dominican recipes (wokefoods.coop). BETTER Donate to grassroots organizations fighting for both racial and food justice. We recommend nonprofits like Black Farmer Fund (blackfarmerfund.org) and Soul Fire Farm (soulfirefarm.org). BEST Demand better front your elected officials. Seek out and support bills and action items that include reparations, improved land use and management, and investments in Black and Indigenous agricultural systems.…

A lot goes on behind the scenes in a restaurant kitchen, as a sort of shared tango takes hold between cooks, servers, dishwashers, and managers, preparing delicious meals for their visitors. However, an element that often stands in the way is the language barrier between team members (up to 40% of employees in the restaurant industry are undocumented workers, according to Food & Wine Magazine). But Casa Bonita in Denver, Colorado is prepared to face that hurdle head-on. Last year, 29 Casa Bonita staff members received language certifications while the restaurant was undergoing renovations. Spanish-speaking staff members took English classes, and English-speaking staffers took Spanish classes over a 16-week period. The program lead and executive chef, Dana Rodriguez has truly learned the value of inclusive communication in the kitchen, since…

Looking for your next culinary obsession? Look no further than our favorite food podcasts, websites, and Substack newsletter picks! With so many resources available at our disposal, it's overwhelming to know where to start. No sweat — we've done the legwork for you. Our team has scoured the web to bring you the cream of the crop when it comes to food-related content. Whether you're a passionate home cook, a food justice activist, or simply someone who loves a good meal, there's something here for everyone. So grab a snack, settle in, and get ready to discover some new favorites in the world of food media. Bon appétit!…

TikToker Keith Lee (@keith_lee125) has quickly risen through the ranks of social media’s biggest food reviewers. The Las Vegas dad takes a no-frills approach to TikTok, filming genuine food reviews from a Paw Patrol-themed kid’s chair. He started creating content in 2020, filming family vlogs and looks into his behind-the-scenes life as a mixed martial artist. But what has made the most impact for viewers is his food review of mom-and-pop restaurants. His TikTok following has rapidly topped 10 million, and whenever he reviews a new establishment, the masses follow. For instance, when he reviewed the once-struggling pizza shop in Vegas, Frankenson's, his video received over 42.5 million views, and lines of customers traveled down the block in the following days. In January, Lee highlighted the Southern Taste Seafood truck,…