“Food is the starting point for people to seek help.”
As an over-achieving Art Scholar studying Law, one often becomes stressed; forgetting the purpose behind studying. And then I remember: justice.
Justice was a crucial element in seminars by Maria Madill and Steve Farrelly. Food is not just a physiological necessity. Food is insecurity; food is social exclusion; food is poverty; food is waste. Ultimately, food is made ignorant and disregarded in New Zealand; 103,000 tons of food wasted per year. 1 (Figure 1)
Farrelly describes a story told to him. A boy told his father: “Since the price of vodka has increased, you won’t be drinking as much.” To this, the father retaliated: “No, you won’t be eating as much.” 2 (Figure 2)
Yet, there is hope. Food insecurity is doubtlessly part of a reckless cycle. This can be broken by another one: Beginning with initiative, followed by time and investment, then distribution and charity work. The results are remarkable. 70% nutrient rich – recycled – food is given to impoverished. Education sky rockets, with increasing concentration and thus national increase in reading cohorts – from 46% to 71%.
Relevant to food as justice is food as a human right, covered in ‘Kai and Culture’ reading; “framing food as a human right is one way to ensure food security for all our citizens.” 3 (Figure 3)
Justice for food is possible, if only we continue to take the necessary measures to make it so. Maria and Steve have done just that.
