The food justice movement is a global movement and strategic perspective that recognizes nutritious food as a human right.
It argues that malnutrition is both a symptom and a cause of the structural inequalities that divide society, recognizing how race, class, and gender play important roles in the way food is produced, distributed, and consumed.
In particular, the movement seeks to highlight how Communities of Color and low-income communities are disproportionately harmed by the current food system – for example, their lack of access to productive resources.
In addition, the model considers other factors that hinder food availability, such as the cost of goods and the location of grocery stores.
Therefore, fighting for food security is as much about creating local food systems as it is about ending the structural inequalities that lead to health inequalities.
The organization aims to address health barriers and economic factors that prevent access to healthy, ethical, and nutritious food.
Knowledge about good nutrition and habits, therefore, is important. However, for those unfamiliar with the area, knowing where to start can feel a little daunting.
Fortunately, there are many wonderful articles out there that aim to educate audiences and raise awareness of the food system.
Here are 6 articles and docuseries you can stream to learn more.
“On the Hog” is a four-part Netflix documentary that examines African American culinary history and the influence of classism, racial segregation, and labor relations on African American food culture.
The documentary is an adaptation of American culinary historian Dr. Jessica B. Harris’s 2011 book of the same name.
“On the Hog” is hosted by Stephen Satterfield, founder of Whetstone Magazine, a publication dedicated to the history of food and culture.
Historically speaking, the show argues, American food culture has reduced Southern African cooking or soul food. However, black people have made countless contributions beyond that, including to famous, ancient American dishes.
They are important and culturally relevant documents to see, as they clarify how much of the so-called American cuisine came from the African American population.
Not only does it teach viewers about the endurance of African cooking and food traditions, but it also speaks unabashedly about how slavery affected what we know today as American cuisine.
It is an in-depth exploration of the roots of Black American food. In terms of food justice, this book is an important resource for understanding and celebrating the true foundation of American cooking.
Related reading: Check out this article about honoring black culture and heritage through food.
“Salt Fat Acid Heat” is a four-part Netflix docuseries that explores the use of the titular ingredient in various local cuisines as the heart of the dish.
The show is inspired by American chef Samin Nosrat’s 2017 cookbook of the same name. Nosrat hosts this docuseries as it explores the importance of cooking and putting food down to these four key elements.
He travels to Italy, Japan, the Yucatán region of Mexico, and his hometown of Berkeley, California, to meet with restaurant chefs, home cooks, and creative professionals to expand their unique understanding of the kitchen.
This serves to celebrate each country’s cuisine and integrate their food traditions.
This series is a less academic, accessible introduction to food culture and history due to its presentation as an educational cooking and travel show. Its support in food culture still makes it highly educational, valuable, and fun to watch.
Related Reading: Check out this article about chef Andy Baraghani’s take on how food can reflect our culture and culture.
“A Place at the Table” is a documentary that explores the social and economic causes of hunger in the United States – where more than 50 million people suffer from food insecurity.
The film explores the issue through the stories of a single mother, a second-grader whose health improves with her diet, and a fifth-grader who depends on the generosity of friends and neighbors for food.
This film shows that hunger in America does not come from a real lack of food. But, the difficult situation is fueled by the apathy of the people and the government.
Among other problems, the documentary says:
While some of the evidence is outdated, “A Place at the Table” is a good book to look at if you want to better understand how social inequality creates health inequalities in low-income communities.
Related reading: Check out this article about America’s “food deserts” — and why some nutritionists say it’s not the right term.
“Eating Our Way To Extinction” is a documentary that examines our food system, its effects on the planet, and the possible effects it may have on our future.
The film features different locations around the world to share testimonies from Indigenous peoples who are most affected by the environmental crisis. They emphasize the connection between the food we eat and our current environmental crisis.
The film argues that animal agriculture and industrial fishing are the main factors leading to increased animal husbandry, unsustainable food production, antibiotic use, and deforestation.
Therefore, it asks the viewers to think about the food of the investment against the effects of the destruction of the environment.
The document has received criticism for not taking into account the influence and impact of the economy led by the economy, placing responsibility on the individual consumer rather than requiring accountability from companies and governments.
However, it is a good introduction to the relationship between food culture and climate change – especially for those seeking an understanding of how our individual diets can affect the global population.
Related reading: Check out this article that offers nine tips to reduce your carbon footprint in the kitchen.
“Gather” documents the growing movement of Americans seeking to reclaim their spiritual, political, and cultural identity through food sovereignty while battling the trauma of centuries of genocide.
It follows members of four different ethnic groups as they work with community leaders to reclaim and preserve their culture. Some of these issues include:
The film’s story is based on the treatment of generational trauma through community collaboration in the fight for food control. Personal and archival documents reveal the ongoing violence faced by Indigenous people.
This book argues for the restoration revolution and shows how Native Americans of all ages are using their skills in hunting, cooking, and foraging in the struggle for food.
Related reading: Check out this article that explores how honoring food culture, including the history of Pumpkin food, can help support a sustainable future.
“Food Chains” is a documentary that examines the role of agriculture in the U.S. and the impact of the multi-billion dollar supermarket and food industries in the abuse of farm workers.
Also directed by Sanjay Rawal of “Gather,” the film documents the experiences of migrant farm workers who pick fruits and vegetables for sale to major US food retailers. Examines the work of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and their hunger strike for better wages.
The featured workers, mainly from Latin America, share their poor working conditions and their experiences with wage theft and – in some cases – modern day slavery.
This document argues that America’s food system will never be sustainable if it is based on the exploitation of low-wage workers. It also shows how food justice and human rights are intertwined.
“Food Chains” sheds light on how farm workers are abused and enslaved to this day within U.S. borders. It focuses on the human cost of our food distribution industry, the fight for food equality, and the fight against corporate greed.
Related reading: Check out this article that dives into the problems associated with our food chain – and how you can help solve them.
In order to achieve a sustainable food system, understanding the processes of food governance is essential.
While there is a growing body of academic work that demonstrates the initiative to empower historically marginalized communities, there are also many accessible publications and articles that work to promote change, as well.
Film, after all, is a very powerful visual work when it comes to raising awareness of social inequality, and can provide a gentle introduction to complex topics.
Watching the movies and series mentioned above can give you a solid foundation for learning about healthy eating and culture.
Day Seven is a freelance writer and editor-in-chief of the online magazine An Injustice!. He is dedicated to educating people about health in general, health and mental health in particular, although he also dabbles in politics and pop culture. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications, including Refinery29, Business Insider, Stylist Magazine, Greatist and many more. When she’s not writing, you can find a day of strength training in the gym or working to complete her Bachelor of Arts degree in film, journalism and gender studies from the University of Cape Town. Follow him on Twitter.
