Thoughts on Chloe’s Entry regarding the "Beet Boxes"

Hello,

In addition to commenting on Chloe’s post, this entry mostly ties back to some of the points in my post last month blog post. Chloe's entry particularly was my catalyst that helped me formulate questions I have asked /will ask the Alameda County Community Food Bank‘s staff.  

Just, to briefly comment on the Beet Boxes project, I have to say it’s a clever idea to have collaboration with clinics and agricultural programs to fight obesity in the community. Since I decided to do my practice experience locally my definition of hunger changed. On the one hand many areas in Oakland are food deserts with limited access to healthy food and abundance in liquor stores and fast food restaurants.  Obesity becoming the consequence of such situation –not entirely.

The concern about participation Chloe mentions became the center of my conversation with the staff. After talking to several employees from different departments –advocacy, nutrition program, agency networks- I came to a unanimous opinion. The staff believes that the ACCFB model is very reasonable and has the capacity to help make hunger history –or at least build towards it. They think it helps balance the participation; the community participates in the form of volunteering, while the advocacy team with the community tries to change the state attitude/ laws –change programs, increase them, or re-evaluate the services provided to the people. They reach in both directions: the food bank distributes to their partners food pantries, soup kitchen, and churches. Those centers are part of the community and 49% of all workers are volunteers who live in Alameda County. From their perspective it ensures fair participation. Also they advocate and try to put laws on the ballot that support the community and reduces hunger –by tackling the causes of hunger.  The result will be the state taking more responsibility about the issue –in the form of building better food safety net, and better the available programs.

It was very interesting to hear the staffs’ opinions and to be honest they actually made me hopeful and gave me some conviction of their stand.