Food security in cities 229
Food Security in Cities
Most people in the world now live in or around cities. Many live in refugee
camps or other communities with poor housing and sanitation, and little
access to jobs, clean water, or healthy food. People have better food security in
cities when they have jobs, money, and safe and healthy housing. Then they
can buy and eat better food, cook and store food, and even grow their own
food in urban gardens.
The People’s Grocery
Like many urban areas in the United States, West Oakland
(in California) has more stores that sell alcohol and junk
food than ones that offer healthy, fresh food. With stores
that do sell healthy food setting prices too high for most
people in the community, many people in West Oakland
are malnourished or overweight. Problems of alcoholism,
drug abuse, and violence make the community a
dangerous place to live. Almost 1 of every 4 people in
West Oakland depends on emergency food programs.
Seeing this problem, some people got together to bring healthy food to the
community at prices people could afford. They began by raising money to buy
a truck. They painted the truck in bright colors and put in a stereo system that
played popular music. Every week they drove to farmers’ markets in other parts
of the city and brought back vegetables and fruit. They parked on street corners
where people gathered, played music to attract more people, and sold the fresh
food at low prices. As they sold food, they talked to people about the importance
of a healthy diet.
They called their mobile market The People’s Grocery and invited people
from the community to join them. Some people decided to start a community
garden to grow fresh produce that could be sold by the People’s Grocery truck.
Young and old people worked together and learned how to grow food. Other
people planted gardens of their own. Soon a nearby school and community
center also planted gardens. Most of the food from these gardens was sold by
the People’s Grocery truck.
After success in the community, the People’s Grocery asked the city
government for land, funds, and advertising. With some government support,
they thought their project could feed many more people.
People’s Grocery continues to build the local food system and economy,
improving food security for everyone in West Oakland. People’s Grocery says
no one should live without healthy food just because they are poor or live in the
city. They say: In order to have food security, we need food justice!
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012