OFFERINGS
“Down where we are, food is used as a political weapon. But if you have a pig in your backyard, if you have some vegetables in your garden, you can feed yourself and your family and nobody can push you around.”
- Fannie Lou Hamer
With access to land, training and community, Black people can access the opportunities that have been denied for too long – opportunities to cultivate healthy foods, thriving businesses and a future of self-determination.
How we do it
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We deliver farm, fresh produce to families impacted by the criminal (in)justice system, including probation, parole, and/or caring for an incarcerated loved one. Our food comes from Black and Brown farmers using agroecological practices to support local food economies, communities, and our climate.
5,607 boxes of produce delivered to 198 people so far …
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We enable land stewardship training, skills building, and resources to our community members interested in beginning or deepening their growing practice. Because those who are closest to the problem are the closest to the solution, we also provide political education so our families make their voices heard through advocacy opportunities in and around their neighborhoods.
166 participants over 15 trainings so far…
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Food sovereignty is the goal, but to achieve it, we must build with and alongside the community. To that end, we install gardens at our members' homes, share knowledge, and support members so they can grow food to eat and/or sell as well as determine what goes into their body and the greater food system.
Growing spaces/gardens planted have served 46 community members so far…
Why it matters
Black Americans have been separated from the means of food production and experienced economic loss. Though 13% of the population, Black people operate just 2% of U.S. farmland. Systemic denial of land ownership has caused Black farmers an economic loss estimated at $250-350 billion (link to Washington Post). Between 1920 to 2020, there has been a loss of nearly 900,000 Black farms across the country.
Black mamas and caregivers impacted by incarceration, in particular, face intersectional barriers to accessing opportunity for their families. Often the primary caregivers of their families, ensuring their wellbeing will create positive ripples in their families and future generations.
Together, we can build the health, wealth, and well-being of Black families and create sustainable change.
Our Approach
Recognizing the root causes that affect the lives of Black mamas and caregivers impacted by incarceration, we use an intersectional and holistic strategy that builds the capacity of Black women and caregivers, fosters healing in our communities, and nourishes future generations.
In addition to ensuring that Black communities have what they need to be healthy today, we are working toward long-term systemic change – advancing sustainable farming practices, local food economies, and leadership and political education for Black economic sovereignty.
We approach everything we do through the lens of food justice, economic justice, environmental justice, and prison abolition.
