Food Sovereignty

With Ruth Messinger

And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corner of your field, neither shall you gather the gleaning of your harvest...you shall leave them for the poor and for the stranger.

Vayikra, 19:9-10

Food Sovereignty & Food Access

The US Food Sovereignty Alliance,  describes Food Sovereignty as the right of people to determine their own food and agriculture policies; the democratization of food and agriculture.  It differs from the concept of Food Access in that it addresses issues of power, autonomy, and decision making, as opposed to simply looking at the availability of healthy food.  

The Food Sovereignty movement is about more than providing for people's basic needs.  It connects individuals to the processes of food production and distribution, and confronts injustices on a systemic level.   Ancient Jewish agricultural practices, such as leaving the corners of the field for those without access to land, can serve as a foundation for contemporary efforts such as gleaning programs and initiatives such as the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's City Harvest.  

Click here for four delicious Fair Trade, Kosher for Passover cooking videos!

Downloads & Links

Check out these resources to learn more about Jewish perspectives on food, land, and justice, and about the Jewish Platform for a Just Farm Bill. 

The Talmud and Rashi on
Food Access

The Torah & Land Access

A Jewish Framework on
Seed Sovereignty

Uprooting Racism in the
Food System

Ron Finley on Guerrilla Gardening in South Central

Jewish Platform for a
Just Farm Bill