In a pivotal moment for food justice, the Food Freedom Fighters coalition rallied support for Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign with a crucial virtual event titled “Food Freedom Fighters for Kamala,” on September 3, 2024. The event aimed to elevate the conversation around a Food Bill of Rights, addressing critical issues such as food and nutrition insecurity, local food economies, and the concept of food as medicine.
A Call to Action Amidst Rising Challenges
The Food Freedom Fights noted the urgency of this movement with policies in Project 2025 posing significant cuts to the emergency food system. The Food Freedom Fighters coalition is committed to making food justice a central topic and advocating for systemic changes to address the ongoing challenges in our food system in the next presidential debate and beyond.
A Stark Reality: Food Insecurity in the U.S.
Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in the United States. In 2022, 12.8% of U.S. households—equivalent to 17.0 million people—experienced food insecurity. A recent 2024 Feeding America report highlights that food insecurity disproportionately affects marginalized communities, with 1 in 4 Black individuals and 1 in 5 Latino individuals facing these hardships. The Food Freedom Fighters are dedicated to tackling these disparities by supporting policies that ensure equitable access to nutritious food for all.
Voices of Advocacy
The event featured prominent voices in the fight for food justice, including Chef Carla Hall, who underscored the profound impact of food on community and identity. “Growing up, I saw firsthand how food can bring people together, heal, and tell our stories,” Hall reflects. Her commitment to the cause stems from a belief that food is a basic right, not a privilege. Hall advocates for a Food Bill of Rights to ensure everyone has access to nutritious and culturally meaningful food.
Sheree Williams, the Publisher/Editor of Cuisine Noire, echoed this sentiment by emphasizing the fundamental nature of food as a basic human right. “Food is such a core essential that should be accessible to every human being,” Williams asserts. She highlights the worsening challenges, from the climate crisis to rising food costs, and calls for policies that ensure health, wellness, and equity for all.
Tambra Raye Stevenson, Founder of the Food Freedom Fighters and Co-Host of the event, stressed the importance of continued advocacy. “Organizing the Food Freedom Fighters for Kamala is about ensuring that the voices of those most impacted by our food system—farmers, chefs, advocates, and everyday citizens—are heard and empowered,” Stevenson stated. She acknowledged the progress made by the Biden/Harris Administration but emphasized that the work is far from complete. “Our future, health, and rights are on the ballot,” Stevenson notes, urging collective action to keep food justice at the forefront.
A Vision for the Future
Kamala Harris’s support for a Housing Bill of Rights provides hope that similar progress could be made with a Food Bill of Rights. It is important to note that no candidate from either the Republican or Democratic party has had a food platform. The Food Freedom Fighters coalition hopes to change that and envisions a future where this hope becomes a reality, ensuring that food justice is not just an aspiration but a concrete achievement.
Get Involved
To be part or to learn more about the movement visit Food Freedom Fighters.
