Dear friend,
A few weeks ago I was invited to serve on the Strategy Group to help inform the upcoming White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. Must admit, I have a great deal of skepticism about such processes as they often are about the show. The end results don’t always mesh with our hopes and dreams, but the organizers can say “we consulted with folks and had a process.”
The other reason for my skepticism is that I believe hunger isn’t about availability of food; it’s about the right to food. I could take up a lot of space talking about the difference, but that’s for another day. For now, I encourage you to read this primer on the right to food from our friends at WhyHunger.
Despite my hesitations, I accepted the invitation because many in my circles believed there is an opportunity here and we should step up to it. So here I go… But as with any other political process, this is not about what I can do. It’s about what we can do. More on that below.
First, since most of you reading this are focused on fisheries and marine food systems, I want to encourage you to submit your thoughts, comments, and policy ideas to this process to ensure that seaFOOD is included in these conversations and final recommendations.
Second, a bit of history for those, who like me, may not have known that the first conference was held by the Nixon Administration in 1969. It ushered in programs such as helping expand the National School Lunch Program and the Food Stamp program (now SNAP). And, it led to the creation of the School Breakfast Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) as well as concepts such as nutrition labeling.
Although the first conference ushered in a new era where public institutions were given authority to address food insecurity in the U.S. But ever since, those public food assistance programs have been completely dependent on contentious political negotiations in Congress for funding, funding that routinely falls short and does not provide dignified livelihoods for those in need. The Right to Food takes the challenge of addressing food insecurity to a new level - by mandating that access to food is a human right that our public institutions must fulfill, and in-turn freeing those that go hungry from political marginalization.
Now the Biden Administration is aiming to hold a conference on this topic in September 2022. Like the last one, this one is preceded by multiple processes that can hopefully bring in public input to inform the ultimate policies that might emerge from this. That’s where the Strategy Group on which I serve comes into the picture. There will be convenings, public input portals on the White House and other websites, and formal listening sessions being held by the White House (see below for the schedule).
All this is fine except - EXCEPT - as I mentioned earlier this conversation must be rooted in the right to food. We have to recognize that hunger is about more than calories and perception of food shortages. In a recent conversation with those working to address hunger on state levels or through operating food banks, the sentiments are clear: we can feed the people standing in line. The goal should be to shorten that line.
We can’t shorten the lines to food banks without addressing the economic structures that don't value people enough to provide for a living wage that ensures lives with dignity and enables us all to afford good food and pursue healthy lives. Our society isn’t designed to ensure the right the food. It’s high time we changed that if we are serious about ending hunger and good health.
Please keep an eye out as together with our allies we will work to bring our points of views to this process and ensure that we strive toward truly ending hunger by addressing the root causes and not just treating its symptoms.
In solidarity,
Niaz Dorry
Coordinating Director
Schedule of virtual listening sessions being held by the White House and open to the public. Please register using the links below, and we encourage you to register for the region you live in.
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South: June 1, 2022, 11am-1pm EDT/10am-12pm CDT/9am-11am MDT. Register here.*
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Midwest & Mountains: June 3, 2022, 1-3pm EDT/12pm-2pm CDT/11am-1pm MDT. Register here.*
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Northeast, MidAtlantic, Puerto Rico, & U.S. Virgin Islands: June 7, 2022, 10am-12pm EDT. Register here.*
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West Coast & Pacific: June 9, 3pm-5pm PDT. Register here.*
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Spanish-only (all regions): June 13, 2022, 1pm-3pm EDT. Register here.
*Language interpreters offered in Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean.
Schedule of in person listening sessions being held by the Strategy Group. These are invitations only, so if you are interested in attending one, please let Niaz know so she can recommend you.
New York City (June 21)
Oakland, CA (June 27)
Washington, DC (July 14)
Louisville, KY (TBD)
Auburn, AL (TBD)
Chicago, IL (TBD)
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NAMA's Sustainable Seafood Guide is here! |
We’re excited to share our new Sustainable Seafood Guide with you all! Inspired by our previous "Green" Seafood guide, this updated guide aims to provide a high-level overview of the seafood landscape in order to empower folks when making seafood purchasing decisions. Help us spread the word about values-based seafood purchasing far and wide!
You can
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The North American Marine Alliance (NAMA) is seeking a full-time Media Coordinator with experience engaging media to achieve short and long-term strategic goals.
The Media Coordinator is an important member of the communications team at NAMA. They will lead NAMA’s media operations, and are responsible for developing, managing, and implementing an effective media strategy to advance the mission, vision, and initiatives of NAMA and our interconnected networks. The position works closely with the leadership, staff, affiliates, and members to organize cross-movement common framing and messaging with external audiences. Click here to see the full job description and find out how to apply!
Know someone who might be the right fit? Please share this job description with them and encourage them to apply!
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Local Catch Network's 4th Local Seafood Summit |
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Early Registration is Almost Closed! |
It’s never too soon to register for the Local Catch Local Seafood Summit happening on Oct. 2-3 at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska. So why attend the Summit, aside from catching Alaska’s vast, rugged beauty post autumn brilliance? As with every summit, attendees will participate in vital conversations about direct marketing, new developments, policy, and connect more deeply with others working to strengthen local and regional seafood systems. Early registration rates are available until June 1, 2022. Visit the summit webpage for more information.
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CAGJ Rise Up! Summer School |
Our friends at Community Alliance for Global Justice (CAGJ) are happy to announce the launch of their 2022 virtual Summer School session! They invite you to learn more and register BY TUES MAY 31 for an engaging summer of learning. Rise Up! Summer School is a free, 3-month political education and leadership development program offered online by CAGJ, where we create space to collectively develop tools and analysis to strengthen the global food sovereignty movement. This year, the theme is Future Paradigms: Reimagining our Food System through the lens of Food Sovereignty.
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US Appeals Board Blocks Offshore Aquaculture Permit! |
Another step in the right direction! The US Appeals Board blocked a permit for the first-ever offshore aquaculture facility over concerns of violating the Clean Water Act. Siding with Center for Food Safety (CFS) and allies in an appeal, last week the Environmental Appeals Board issued a decision that states the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) permit for Velella Epsilon, the first-ever industrial aquaculture facility in federal waters, violated the Clean Water Act. The Board has ordered EPA to clarify that the facility will not cause harm to aquatic ecosystems and species in the Gulf of Mexico.
Shout out to the Don't Cage Our Oceans Coalition for their work pushing back against the AQUAA Act and organizing all of us to participate in stopping factory fish farms!
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Public Comment Opportunity |
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NOAA Fisheries Invites Public Comment on New Draft Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy |
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NOAA Fisheries is inviting public comments on their Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy draft through August 19. In addition to accepting written comments, they are hosting four webinars where comments will be accepted. In-person meetings and opportunities to comment via phone will be announced on a rolling basis. Learn more.
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NAMA is a fishermen-led organization building a broad movement toward healthy fisheries, and fishing communities.
We build deep, and trusting relationships with community based fisherman, crew, fishworkers, and allies to create effective policy, and market strategies.
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