Nonviolent Carbondale to hold '11 Days for Food Justice' events | Community Spirit

CARBONDALE, IL (KFVS) - Nonviolent Carbondale, a coalition of citizens and organizations, has planned another 11 Days event.

From Feb. 21 through March 3, the 11 Days for Food Justice will include over 30 events, happening throughout the city. Sponsored by various community organizations, there will be a variety of speakers, movies, workshops, and discussions.

Information about the 11 Days for Food Justice, including a full list of events, can be found on the website http://www.nonviolentcarbondale.org/.

“The idea came from the University," said Jessica Bradshaw, chair of the Carbondale Human Relations Commission. "This year, most of SIU’s incoming freshmen read selections from a book called Reclaiming our Food, by Tanya Denckla Cobb, a primer on food issues."

While the University emphasizes sustainability and food, Bradshaw said “it is also important to consider issues of justice when we talk about food.”

Elissa Johnson, co-organizer of the Winter Farmer’s Market and member of the group organizing 11 Days for Food Justice, said, “Food is not often considered an issue of social justice, but this connection is important for the continuation and development of equitable communities. By definition, food access and justice affects everyone because everyone eats.”

Nonviolent Carbondale started as a working group of the Carbondale Human Relations Commission. In the past two years, they have hosted two other “11 Days” events: the 11 Days for Peace in September 2011 and the 11 Days for Compassion in May 2012.

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