PROGRESS . . . is the real road to perfection.

This year's Food Systems Summit at the University of Vermont centers around The Right to Food: Power, Policy, and Politics in the 21st Century. With issues so deep and injustices so great, there is a legitimate desire to eradicate the lack of food access to everyone all at once. 

But the world is an imperfect place and we are all imperfect creatures. At times, it's hard to feel like the individual work that any one of us is doing is even having an impact. 

Over the past few weeks we've been collecting entries to give away a ticket to the UVM Food Systems Summit. We asked willing participants to answer the question: drawing from personal experience, what is the most valuable work that you've ever done, and how were you compensated?

While we received dozens of entries, Kaitlin's (below) spoke to us because it captured this very feeling of conflict that we imagine many of us feel. 

The most valuable work I’ve ever done is also the work that has raised the most questions as I examine its impact on my life, the lives of those close to me, and the community that the farm I’m interning at is feeding. I can’t imagine more fulfilling work teaching me more about myself, about working with and learning from an amazing group of individuals, and about raising vegetables and animals, but I also can’t help but notice the cost to my partner and friends as I work long and hard 12 hour days or the real monetary cost of $12 salad mix that I know not everyone can afford, yet is happily scooped up at farmers market by those who can. I am both grateful and saddened to be a recipient of government food assistance and health care to supplement my cost of living, while the farm pays me a stipend and all the organic veggies I can eat--plus irreplaceable knowledge, self-confidence, and support.

So where do we go from here? Never let the reality that you can not fix everything keep you from trying something. We may not solve every problem all at once, but every small contribution adds up to collectively make big changes for the better. Participate. Learn. Change your behavior. Share with others. 

If you are looking for inspiration here are a few small ideas:

• Contribute to the 'list of needs' for the Victory Bus Project, providing affordable transportation for families in urban areas going to visit their loved ones in rural prisons while providing a box of fresh fruits and vegetables. The needs range from help with outreach to drivers to vehicle mechanics to web design, so there are many different ways to contribute. 
• Check out / participate in the great work at Soul Fire Farm. 
• Share your Share: a program that allows people to purchase a CSA share to donate to families in need. 
• Find inspiration in this NYC Food Justice Action Guide. If you live in NYC, use it. And if you don't, figure out how you might be able to adapt it to your area. 
• This year's Slow Living Summit focuses on food systems (including Food Justice). We have 2 complimentary tickets to give out on a first come, first served basis. Let us know if you can make it and we will share the complimentary code with the first two responders.
• Attend the UVM Food Systems Summit to collect more ideas on how to create action to 'feed the world'. And then (the most important part) act on them. Don't miss our blog profile this week on Ellen Kahler, one of the many inspiring speakers at this year's summit.

These are but a few things that are happening in our part of the world. What have you found in your neck of the woods? 

To progress,
 

   Taylor & Dorothy
   Co-Founders, Good Food Jobs