“We can’t talk to youth about farms if they are disconnected from the land, and how do we create better school food without the voices of youth who use the program each and every day.” Beatriz Beckford, Co-Director, Grassroots Action Network at WhyHunger

Beatriz is one of four social justice activists that have come together with eighteen young authors to support the creation of the new Youth Food Justice Zine. The zine, part of WhyHunger’s Food Justice Voices series, offers a platform for young food justice activists to share their stories, publish their creative work and express their views on the state of our nation’s food system. This compilation of drawings, poems, photos and short stories elevates the voices of youth food justice activists, as well as intergenerational narratives around youth power within the context of the United States.

Launched in conjunction with the national youth Rooted In Community 2015 Leadership Summit, taking place this week in Detroit, The Youth Food Justice Zine is full of vibrant color, captivating language and the voices of youth across the country. The editors, Miyuki Baker, Beatriz Beckford, Victoria Pozos Bernal, and Ayisah Yusuf, believe that while movements should be intergenerational, youth power and creativity in movements is crucial to collective liberation. The introduction to the zine explains, “Youth are the next leading generation and empowerment and encouragement to be in leadership positions are crucial if our struggle for food justice is to continue.”

The zine, compiled from the more than 60 creative works submitted by youth leaders across the country, offers definitions of food justice, perspectives on healthy eating, a guide to being an adult ally, contributor resources and more!  The Youth Food Justice Zine is a must read for anyone engaged in the food justice movement and can be found  here.

 

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