Sojourners recently published an article, “Fasting from Food Waste in a Season of Hoarding,” that features a core group from Raleigh Mennonite Church who have made a commitment this Lenten season to reduce food waste as a spiritual practice. Little did the group know when Lent started that this season would land us in the middle of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
Associate Web Editor for Sojourners Jenna Barnett wrote extensively about the practices of the group’s efforts, particularly those of Jackie and Craig, who have taught us so much about rescuing food and food waste in our communities. The article also quotes Pastor Melissa as well as Angel.
“Food justice advocates often see the dinner table as the place where so many justice lanes collide, including labor rights, economic injustice, food insecurity, climate justice, and more. Only about 75 people attend Raleigh Mennonite Church, but among them are dumpster divers, urban gardeners, farm gleaners, and those who work with Food-4-Thought, a volunteer group that rescues food from Trader Joe’s and distributes fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, and bread to about 90 households. “
The group’s fasting from food waste is one more part of RMC’s A Year at the Table, a year-long exploration, celebration, and discernment of our practice of communion, our relationship to food systems, and our community formed around meals.
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