CCFSC believes our country’s history of institutional racism is at the root of current poverty and food insecurity. Economic and racial justice are inseparable. Any plan to end hunger must be conscious of intentional policy choices that resulted in disparate outcomes for targeted groups. The resulting economic inequality impacts not just people of color, but is the foundation supporting the poverty that afflicts everyone who cannot put nourishing food on their table. This poverty is a burden on us all. It compromises the humanity of those who have enough, making us all complicit in a system that punishes people for being economically vulnerable.
Maine Black Community Development
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We are honored to partner with, and be the fiscal sponsor for, Maine Black Community Development. "The purpose of Maine Black Community Development is to improve the quality of life for people who primarily identify as being from the African and/or American diaspora through a self-determination framework while advancing racial equity and justice for all people living in Maine."
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Racial Wealth Gap Learning Simulation
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This open source simulation was developed by Bread for the World who offers it at no cost to be used by community-based groups. It is designed to help people understand the connections among racial equity, hunger, poverty, and wealth. This interactive tool is a powerful resource for developing empathy while learning the historical context of policy decisions that have had a lasting impact on the ability of African Americans and other people of color to accumulate wealth and succeed in the U.S. economy. It is an effective first step to introduce people to structural inequality, as well as a source of information for experts who want to know the quantifiable economic impact of policies that have widened today’s racial hunger, income, and wealth divides.
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CCFSC will work with any group that wants to bring this simulation to your community. If you are interested in organizing a training, please email info@ccfoodsecurity.org.
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Racial Equity Institute
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We ally ourselves with the Racial Equity Institute, which trains and organizes advocates in the tradition of the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond. Sending council members to REI trainings supports our efforts to develop a shared and consistent antiracist analysis of hunger and poverty.
If you are a council member and interested in attending an REI training, please email info@ccfoodsecurity.org. |
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Allyship with New Americans
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We believe that creating access to the means of food production is the most effective strategy to empower people experiencing food insecurity. In solidarity with the Somali Bantu Community Association (SBCA), CCFSC submitted a proposal to USDA Community Food Projects in their name with CCFSC as sub-awardee. This four-year, $400,000 grant was awarded with the project beginning in September 20l6. Through this initiative, CCFSC is supporting the Bantu community’s expressed desire to return to farming, as well as building the SBCA’s organizational and leadership capacity. Additionally, we provide ongoing grant writing, staff and volunteer capacity, and consulting to the organization.
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Statement on June 1, 2020
While the outrageous murder of George Floyd was perpetrated directly by a law officer, his life was ultimately taken by our willingness to accept the racism and historical violence of a state guided by white supremacy. We are organizing toward a future in which Black Lives Matter - where Black communities are safe, nourished, and able to thrive.
The Cumberland County Food Security Council's (CCFSC) mission is to initiate and facilitate collaborative action toward a just, resilient, and sustainable food system that ensures equitable access for all people to enough healthy food. Our analysis is clear. The path to food security is through racial justice.
People identified as “white” must begin this journey by looking within. Change begins when we are able to see our unconscious biases and our Nation’s hidden history of intentional racial oppression.
We are calling on our community to take action. It is urgent and necessary that we mobilize ourselves, our families, and our networks in the “Movement towards Freedom, Liberation, and Justice” (Black Lives Matter). May we look this injustice in the eye and use this pain as a catalyst towards change. In the words of Ruth King, “Anger is not transformative, it is initiatory.” Let us use this anger to fuel meaningful personal and systemic change.
CCFSC has facilitated many Racial Wealth Gap Learning Simulations over the past few years. When we can gather inside again, we welcome the opportunity to partner with your organization to bring this tool to your community. We make the Racial Equity Institute workshop and similar anti-racism training available to our staff and Board members. We recommend them highly.
CCFSC is working with the Maine government on LD 1159, Resolve, to end hunger in Maine by 2030. Racial and economic justice are inseparable. We believe our country’s history of institutional racism is at the root of current poverty and food insecurity. Any plan to end hunger must be fundamentally anti-racist. This hunger and racism is a burden on us all. It compromises the humanity of those who benefit from these unjust systems, making us all complicit in a system that punishes people for being in Black bodies. Work with us to hold ourselves and the system accountable. We can reclaim our humanity from the self destructiveness that is white supremacy.
Here are some things that we can do:
The Cumberland County Food Security Council's (CCFSC) mission is to initiate and facilitate collaborative action toward a just, resilient, and sustainable food system that ensures equitable access for all people to enough healthy food. Our analysis is clear. The path to food security is through racial justice.
People identified as “white” must begin this journey by looking within. Change begins when we are able to see our unconscious biases and our Nation’s hidden history of intentional racial oppression.
We are calling on our community to take action. It is urgent and necessary that we mobilize ourselves, our families, and our networks in the “Movement towards Freedom, Liberation, and Justice” (Black Lives Matter). May we look this injustice in the eye and use this pain as a catalyst towards change. In the words of Ruth King, “Anger is not transformative, it is initiatory.” Let us use this anger to fuel meaningful personal and systemic change.
CCFSC has facilitated many Racial Wealth Gap Learning Simulations over the past few years. When we can gather inside again, we welcome the opportunity to partner with your organization to bring this tool to your community. We make the Racial Equity Institute workshop and similar anti-racism training available to our staff and Board members. We recommend them highly.
CCFSC is working with the Maine government on LD 1159, Resolve, to end hunger in Maine by 2030. Racial and economic justice are inseparable. We believe our country’s history of institutional racism is at the root of current poverty and food insecurity. Any plan to end hunger must be fundamentally anti-racist. This hunger and racism is a burden on us all. It compromises the humanity of those who benefit from these unjust systems, making us all complicit in a system that punishes people for being in Black bodies. Work with us to hold ourselves and the system accountable. We can reclaim our humanity from the self destructiveness that is white supremacy.
Here are some things that we can do:
- Say his name: George Floyd. Say the names of others you know who have had their lives taken by a racist system.
- Vote! People holding power in our government make choices that dismantle or perpetuate racist policies. They must be held accountable.
- Donate to anti-racist organizations and movements:
- Black Visions support black-led organizing https://www.blackvisionsmn.org/
- Reclaim the Block to stay informed about police abolition work in Minneapolis
- Donate to a bail fund so that defenders of Black lives are not caged.
- Attend a protest. (Wear a mask, social distance, and take actions to promote the safety of yourself and others)
- Engage in difficult conversations with friends, family, and community about racism.
- Continually be learning and educating yourself.
- Support BIPOC-owned businesses and organizations in your community.
- Call or email your representatives and demand action. https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
