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PEOPLE OFTEN FORGET THAT KINDNESS IS FREE... whether we are giving it to each other, or to ourselves.
This past weekend we went to the People's Climate March in New York City. We'll admit, we're not inherently political people, nor are we experts on climate change. But our beliefs in meaningful food work are closely tied to (and resulting from) our interest in preserving and promoting the beauty and bounty of the world in which we live.
Every day we find small behaviors that we can change, decisions we can make, and things from which we can abstain that can prevent a little bit of waste and save a little bit of energy. They may seem insignificant at times (for example: forgo that plastic bag by bringing your own reusable one, hang the clothes out to dry in warm weather, look for a water fountain before reaching for the bottled stuff, make DIY versions of many household items / food to limit packaging, etc.), but we try to seek them out and make habits of them nonetheless. Because over the years the effect of limited waste and saved energy / time / money / strife adds up.
But saints we are not. We still buy things online that sometimes come with guilt-inducing amounts of packing materials, own cars and use them, and could be all around much more informed and active about ways to make a difference.
We know enough to know that we (both personally and collectively as a culture) all engage in a lot of things that could likely be done in a way that shows more respect to our relationships - with each other, animals, the landscape, and the environment.
So this is all to say that we did not show up to the march with any particular agenda - and most certainly not the naiveté to think that this one day event could solely solve the world's climate issues. But the power of small actions built into a big movement compelled us to contribute in the way that we know best - bring some curious people together, observe, synthesize, and share with you (if you are interested, of course; we won't be offended if you are not).
The march was advertised as a public event, organized largely by 350.org with the permission of NYC, and designed to take place right before today's meeting of several heads of state, who are gathering at the UN in NYC for a summit on climate change. This march was organized to encourage people to join and represent the reasons why they care about this issue of climate change, and how it affects them - personally, professionally, economically, physically. On the spectrum between protest and parade it seemed, for better or worse, to fall two thirds of the way toward the latter.
 
We were tagging along with the larger Food Justice group - in which there were many people offering solutions for how to make positive strides and improve our relationship with the environment. Conversations (verbally and via handheld signs) involved things like fair wages for restaurant and agricultural workers, the effect of meat intensive diets and industrial agriculture on the earth, and the reality that fracking can taint the water supply (which, for the record, not only affects drinking water, but beer production) - just to name a few.
Here are some observations from the ground: scroll down to read more . . .
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We launched our new and improved My Account area! And we're doing a test run of our newly discounted pricing for bulk job postings. Find more details at goodfoodjobs.com/account/jobpackages
our job search engine is a work in progress. do you have a recommendation? constructive criticism? or have you noticed a glitch? let us know. we're improving every day.
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details / THE GNOMES HAVE GONE ROGUE! You've been seeing the gastrognomes all over . . . in a truck farm in Portland, OR, beekeeping in Ecuador, riding the subways in NYC. Word has it that some are en route to Europe.
But the gnomes are feeling like they are lacking efficiency. While they love and support snail mail (and will continue to use it as their back up mode of physical transportation when folks can't accompany them across the county) they are clamoring for us to utilize the advantages of the digital age. #gogastrognomes just went Flat Stanley on you. We've created a space where you can download your own gnome, providing a little more flexibility for spreading the word about the great things that you are doing.
Visit the contact page for details. (Don't worry, you can still request our hand-stuffed gnomes . . . they are worth the wait).
And if you're looking for inspiration, check out our gnome Bucket List. They are looking for food adventures all over this great nation.
prize / A first, second and third prize will be given out based on creativity, effort, artistry and crowd response. To learn more, visit goodfoodjobs.com/gnomes.
deadline / TBD. The contest will be ongoing through the Fall, and with the new downloadable versions it's easier than ever.
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. . . continued from above
Here are some observations from the ground:
- Impressed with the 400,000+ turnout, but disappointed at the fundamental lack of representative diversity (as you know, this is an issue that we struggle with in our own GFJ community as well).
- Surprised by the amount of waste produced from the event. Not to mention the sheer volume of trash. If only participation came contingent upon a pledge to give up that disposable coffee cup for the day.
- In awe of the social movement (meaning, the literal movement and ability to get all of those people in the same place) - knowing that there is a need for that energy - later coupled with efforts that are less energy intensive, in more diverse geographic locations, where it is less spectacle-driven, and more about people coming together for tangible conservation / action.
- Somewhat lost for the 'big picture' next steps, but hard at work finding small action items that can help us move forward.
- At once thankful for and frustrated by some of the harsh (yet honest) criticism of the march, from folks that either think that climate change is a hoax, or that the efforts are too polarizing or futile.
- Hopeful for a period of truly shared sacrifice on the part of everyone. Ideas welcome.
As you can see, it's not all good. Not all bad. As with most things in life . . . it's complicated. While there are plenty of things that we am not sure of, here are some things that we do know:
- One march (whether parade or protest) is not enough. If you did participate, the question really is, 'what now?'. The answer is not one specific thing. I imagine it just matters to do something. Small things. Many things. More than once. And share your experiences and actions. In a way that doesn't impose judgement, but encourages support, kinship, and connection. Remain humble, curious, and willing to evolve.
- The march is not the only thing you can do (and for many people it might not have even been the best thing that they could do). So we stick to the mantra: do what you can, where you can, when you can. May we all respect and support the unique and individual efforts that each other are making, and learn how we can each do more ourselves.
- Regardless of how dire any climate issues are, the practice of participating in the march reminded us that it is easy to become disconnected - from each other, from ourselves, from the world surrounding us (be it the cultural or natural world). It's easy to become overwhelmed. But a Torontonian/fellow march participant that we met on the subway back to Brooklyn recommended the book Active Hope, which shares insight on how to use gratitude as a practice for not becoming overwhelmed with how to contribute to the world in a positive way.
- We sure as hell don't have 'the answers' (we promise, we'd share them with you if we did). But that doesn't mean that it's not worth it to engage. Just because your efforts won't change everything, doesn't mean you should do nothing.
As people who don't really identify with politics, we do feel very much a part of the natural world - given all of it's beauty and strength and rage and confusion. And we do believe in the simplicity of and need for connection.
We're not sure what we'll do with this idea, but it's the thing that fuels all of our efforts at GFJ. It's our goal to find some small ways to satiate the hunger for connection, and to put some good energy into the world. Robyn's story in this week's blog post is just one source of inspiration.
As always, thanks for engaging and connecting with us. Without you, GFJ is just a website. With you, we're a community (and each member of this community has a voice. Your thoughts / opinions / questions / comments are always welcome and appreciated).
Your companions,
Taylor & Dorothy
Co-Founders, Good Food Jobs
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