The Memphis chapter of Food Not Bombs was launched in May of 2022 with “a mission to share free food and education as a means of direct action to abolish exploitative systems of domination.”
The group was originally formed in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1980. The organization now has chapters all over the world.
According to members of the organization, they are a “a diverse community of BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and neurodivergent Memphians who share the motto, ‘Food is a right, not a privilege.’”
“We plant seeds of education and work to dismantle the socioeconomic systems of oppression that create unnecessary hunger and poverty. This work applies locally, nationally, and globally,” said members of the organization.
The Memphis chapter of Food Not Bombs has now been around for a year. The Flyer sat down to talk with them more about their mission, both locally and nationally, as well as some of the work being done in the communities they serve.
Memphis Flyer:What is your mission locally? What about nationally?
Food Not Bombs:We relate to the intersectional struggles and oppression of the disabled, justice-impacted, sex workers, food-insecure, and homeless, and we welcome them with compassion and open arms. We believe that there is no legitimate reason for someone to be deprived of food. Access to food and resources is deserved everywhere regardless of borders, ZIP codes, and IDs.
There is more than enough food in the richest country on planet Earth; nearly 40% of the food grown in the United States ends up in a landfill while 38 million Americans are unable to afford basic necessities like food, housing, and healthcare. In America alone, 500 people die every day from poverty, while, globally, 25,000 people die every day from hunger. There are systemic reasons for all of these inequities. We believe that not enough people are aware of the severity of the problem nor what they can do to improve these conditions. We are here to help educate and show people that through thinking globally and acting locally, we can create the equity we desire within our own neighborhoods and communities. To quote the late labor organizer Lucy Parsons, “Anarchists know that a long period of education must precede any great fundamental change in society, hence they do not believe in vote begging, nor political campaigns, but rather in the development of self-thinking individuals.”
What does the phrase “solidarity, not charity” mean to you all?
Solidarity means mutual aid. It is reciprocity by nature and practice. “You today, me tomorrow.” Mutual aid helps those in need in a way that also disrupts the systems that create the real and perceived scarcity of people’s basic necessities. Charities offer symptomatic treatment to deeply rooted problems, and due to financial interests, avoid addressing the conditions that caused the aid to be needed. This is sometimes referred to as the “nonprofit-industrial-complex.” Charities may not be reciprocal and aid may be distributed through bureaucratic hierarchies which prevent some in need from receiving the resources being offered.
Can you explain the independent and autonomous aspect of your chapter? What about the consensus process?
We encourage anyone to decide with us how we progress, especially those who depend on us.
Food Not Bombs and its 1,000-plus decentralized chapters from 60-plus countries are liberated by autonomy and consent and are free from hierarchy or chain of command. Chapter to chapter, each group is empowered to identify and address their own unique needs. For example, Food Not Bombs does not typically have a book club, but our chapter felt it incumbent to educate within our local collective, so we host a reading group that meets once a month to discuss selected texts that we agree upon.
All chapters make decisions by consensus, which is general agreement. Consensus is built on the principle of consent: Rather than relying on a majority, we believe that every participant should be allowed to voice their opinions. We address, discuss, and resolve any concerns to create meaningful solutions in the best interests of everyone.
Explain the importance of your nonviolent approach.
Nonviolence is a disruptive force which is critical in changing oppressive institutions. Many problems in our society stem from a philosophy of violence being the answer. This fosters a culture of violence which equates punishment as the primary form of justice. Food Not Bombs rejects that point of view. The ethos of Food Not Bombs is that of harm reduction. It’s in the name. The Memphis Food Not Bombs culture centers sharing stemmed from caring. The Food Not Bombs community is nonviolent because we reject societal institutions using violence as a method to control socioeconomic power. A system of sharing and caring must be disseminated while systems of violence are dismantled.
How is the food accessibility landscape changing in Memphis? What are some areas that have grown? What areas need improvement?
Coalitions are growing as organizations intertwine to end food injustice. The work to address one in four Memphians living in poverty cannot be done alone. 901 Community Fridges has established three public refrigerators that are accessible 24/7. Individuals and organizations like us routinely supply donations.
A Betor Way hosts needle exchanges and weekly food shares, and activist group Memphis 4 Revolutionary Socialism also hosts bi-weekly mutual aid food shares.
First Congregational Church of Cooper-Young offers the Food Justice Ministry, complete with a pantry and kitchen where hungry folks can get free food. Through our partnership, we have provided their kitchen with hundreds of pounds of rescued food.
We are partnering with The Memphis Church in Cordova to set up an unrestricted, 24/7 Food Not Bombs Community Fridge. We have more fridges to set up in Memphis as we seek hosts.
One thing individuals can do to help programs like ours is to donate excess food, harm reduction, and hygiene products. We will take just about any donations as we look to offer free clothing, books, and other household items at upcoming events, which people can find out about by following us on social media. Individuals can also help influence their own communities to begin food sharing programs — if you don’t know how, we can help. Food shares are growing as more individuals are joining grassroots organizations.
Collectivizing together as an intersectional alliance to expand free food access is the continuum; anyone interested in getting involved is more than welcome to reach out to us — we are always seeking more volunteers and community partners.
You all partner with other organizations and marginalized groups. Why do you feel it’s important to show support for other groups whose ideas may not solely be rooted in protesting war and poverty through food?
Food Not Bombs’ organizational philosophy focuses on decentralization through fostering multilateral networks of social activism. We want to break down ideological silos, creating environments where all who care about social justice can work together. There are many social activist groups based in Memphis and ultimately there are more people wanting progressive social change than those who don’t. The key is getting all of these people working together in a collaborative effort through a mutual understanding of our shared vision to create better social equity. There are many different ways to end social inequality and many different approaches are needed for that end. Not everyone can do everything, but many different kinds of organizing are needed; it’s important that various community groups have different ideas of activism as long as we can unite under the shared vision of social justice.
