The money spent by the world on weapons in one week is enough to feed all the people on Earth for a year. When millions of people go hungry each day how can we spend another dollar on war? If you feel that people need food more than bombs contact:
From ZOS #1 Inset that comes with with the latest Wrongbody 7"
FOOD NOT BOMBS Melbourne started up around January 1996. We started off with just our own kitchen utensils, BBQ gas bottle, a weekly pickup from the organics stalls at the Victoria Market and doing a weekly soup-kitchen in the city. Since then heaps of people have gotten involved and, as well as the city kitchen, we do one in St Kilda and some people are starting up one in Collingwood soon. Other stuff we do includes taking meals and food to picket lines, to high-schools with homeless and asylum-seeking students and to mental health institutions. We also do rallies and conferences. We now have a van and some other equipment which has been begged, borrowed and stolen (only from those who deserve it of course).
Believe it or not all this is completely FUCKING EASY. As far as I know FNB is happening in Sydney, Adelaide and a similar type of thing (I think with a different name) in Brisbane.But anyone can do it, anywhere (well at least anywhere in the 'priveliged' world), anytime-which could just mean YOU, NOW, HERE.
People doing FNB in America get arrested all the time, but we haven't been hassled much at all, I guess the situation in America is pretty different partly because they don't have the dole...maybe we aren't seen as a threat in the same way-maybe something we should work on, though for now we're just happy not to be arrested. Actually I think the FILTH are probably unaware of the political nature of what we're doing. That might sound weird-some people involved in FNB are doing it because they want to help people in need as much as they can, this is part of my motivation too, but it's also so much more. Most of the people currently involved in FNB are punks/anarchist (sorry but how else was I supposed to say that?) and it's pretty cool the way people coming to and walking past our kitchens are forced to reconsider preconceptions about useless junkie chaos punks. This is particularly true when we take food to picket lines.
I guess our greatest hope is that people coming to our kitchens and stuff will get an idea of how easy it is to fight the system, however powerless you might feel you can evade its choke-hold. People taking control of their lives is the biggest threat to this capitalist, hierarchical, BORING, MEANINGLESS, NUMB, speciest, earth-destroying, self-centred, powerless (for most people) existence which has been designed for us; maintaining the power and profit of the few at OUR and most other peoples expense. Pretty simple I guess but the point is that it is not insurmountable. If 30-40% of the population decided to stop participating in the labour force, or in the market system; if they decided to stop buying products and instead taking, by any means, what they needed-then the whole fucking thing would fall apart...Utopian? Yup I guess so...so what are you going to do-NOTHING? There is no excuse for apathy.
To me FNB flies in the face of this system. Even within the current system we can chose to operate in a different way-FNB is non-hierarchical; if you come along and contribute you have equal decision making capacity- we don't have time for formal meetings- we have them around the soup-kitchen table. People come along and start up their own kitchen in their own area-they're a cell- making their own decisions and developing in their own individual way.
Every thing we distribute is vegan. Meat and dairy make no sense: on economic/humanitarian grounds, on enviromental grounds, on health grounds and on concern for the suffering of non-human animals grounds. The only people who profit from meat and dairy are men (and I'm afraid increasingly women) in suits in big offices who seek only to maximise their own profit...your doctor tells you its good for you? Well her/his last 'conference' was probably sponsored by your local meat and dairy board..so you wonder why? Most of what we distribute is also organic or biodynamic. The only people profiting from conventional chemical laden agriculture are chemical/pharmaceutical companies who frequently also own the farms...they perpetuate their high-profit industry with no consideration for other factors.
Food is essential for life, yet global food production and supply are controlled by only a small cicrle of companies, with profit as their only motive. Wastage occurs at every level right to the point where we, Western consumers have been taught to demand perfect, whole potato chips, rosy red apples all year round and chicken FLESH which is only breast and leg (have you ever been inside a broiler hen factory where chickens which are barely months old struggle to stand up under the weight of their own chemical laden breasts?). Even with current food production methods we could easily feed the entire current human population-if only we (I guess I mean 'they'-but maybe our apathy is our complicity) chose to...instead we chose wasteful methods such as meat eating, stock piling and destroying to maintain prices etc etc etc.No-one seems to care about the millions of people whose existences are spent preoccupied with the ache of their empty bellies, and their incapacity to do anything about it. Instead our governments spend billions of dollars on 'defence' (or maintaining systems of dominance and subservience). Most of this utter poverty is in the Third World but it also exists in Australia. Poverty in the Third World is a direct result of Western wealth; our economic system is set up so that they are our SLAVES. So what to do? Well, we figure that the more people that do stuff which doesn't participate in corporate society, and preferably which aims to pull it down, the closer we come to changing things. Some shops we ask for food won't give it to us because 'nothing comes free in this world'...this is a handy line really if you want everyone locked into life-long house mortgages etc etc, instead lets give out free food, in the same way we take/scam other stuff we need, like squatting empty houses instead of renting. (Although this was written by one person-and as such is my own individual perspective, I've tried to cover the ideas which are common to most people currently involved.)
Fiona
• How frequently a child dies as a result of malnutrition, every 2.3 seconds.
• Number of people who die of malnutrition everyday, 54,794.
• Number of people who will die of malnutrition in a year, 20,000,000.
Every week in and around Melbourne ther are 20,000 people seeking food relief, yet these people shouldn't have to be struggling for food when there are vast amounts of food being thrown out by markets, bakerys, supermarkets, greengrocers, etc. Why cant the food be refistributed to those in need? All it takes is a few individuals to band together to collect the food and redistribute it to schools, haostels, refuges etc, or set up food kitchens in your area.
Food Not Bombs has proved that it can be done. It is absurd that in a so-called affluent society, people should be starving. Why? Government, society and the corporate world don't consider those below the poverty line important enough, because they don't have money to spend - to keep the greedy few financially happy. BBeing human and alive is more valuable than money.) So help us and your society to make this a better world by getting food to where it should be. Food is a right - not a privilege.
The Food Not Bombs collective (Melbourne) has been actively providing food for those who need it since Easter 1996. After running a community kitchen at Easter Confest 1996, Food Not Bombs was given access to a number of cooking utensils abd crockery by Down To Earth. From that moment Food Not Bombs has gone from strength to strength. Armed with a mobile soup kitchen, a van and a fast growing collective of people, Food Not Bombs is out on the streets providing free vegan food for any one in need.
The mobile food kitchens currently provide 3 meals per week. On Sunday nights in Fitzroy St, St Kilda (7.30-9.30pm). Monday nights opposite the City Square in Swanston St (7.30-9.30 pm) and Tuesday nights at the corner of Smith and Otter Streets in Collingwood (7.30-9.30 pm). Another kitchen will soon open in Kensington/Flemington, probably on Thursday nights. All meals are totally vegan and organic produce is used wherever possible.
'So where do they get all that money to buy food?' I hear you ask. Actually, most of the food that Food Not Bombs uses is actually salvaged from fruit and vegetable traders and wholesalers. Food that would otherwise be thrown out is picked up by the Food Not Bombs collective and redistributed at no cost.
The fact of the matter is that in a world which is fuelled by money and greed, food will always be wasted. Massive reserves of food are stored and guarded while people starve. A lot of food is also dumped or desroyed. Why? Because those in power want to maintain the ridiculously high prices people pay for food in order to line their pockets with more money. After all, food grows on trees doesn't it? Food Not Bombs also picks up bread from bakeries. If you know of any fruit or vegetable shops, bakeries wholefoods shops etc that are looking for someone to take their surplus or day old produce, please mention us.
Another aspect of Food Not Bombs is to deliver bread and day old fruit and vegetables (which is still OK to eat) to various organisations around Melbourne. Food Not Bombs currently or has in the past to the following groups: Brosnan Centre. The BEAT. Koori Community Centre (Nicholson St).Debney Park Secondary College.Northlands Secondary College. Swinbourne Secondary College. Front Yard. Stewart St Lodge. VIP housing and Youth Services. Barricade Books/Info Centre. Camcare. Support Housing for Young People (SHYP). Food Not Bombs also delivers food to individuals in need. Boxes of free fruit, vegetables and bread usually accompany each food kitchen. Another aspect of Food Not Bombs that sets it apart from charitues is its commitment to invlvement in Social Justice ISSUES (as opposed to feel good diversions). Food Not Bombs has supported a number of community events. Some include: Critical Mass. Koornung Creek Festival. Anarchist Black Cross Conference. Wellington Street Squat Eviction.Food Not Bombs provided a weekly meal to the workers during the Spotswood Picket. As its name suggests. Food Not Bombs is opposed to militarism and wars; and the whole mentality which means that more money is spent on military/army spending each week than would be needed to feed all those who don't have enough to eat in the world FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR. Why do we allow our governments to get away with spending the proceeds of our labour in this way? Food Not Bombs will actively participate where possible in the Asia-Pacific Anti-Militarism Forum which is to be held in Melbourne 28 March-1 April 1997.
A special thanks has to go to all members of Food Not Bombs, the organic stalls at the Victoria Markets, Melbourne Organics (St Kilda), Go Organic (Fitzroy), Bakers Delights and Natural Tucker Bakery. Also a special thanks to Marie (Royal Artillery Hotel) for providing the rice. Also thanks to anyone who has donated time, money or effort to our struggle for peace, equality and a world free from hunger
If you wish to start a Food Not Bombs or contibute to an existing one then read on.
Firstly,if you wish to know more about Food Not Bombs you can do so by writing to us requesting information. We can be contacted at GPO Box 3329 GG Melbourne Victoria 3001. You can also talk to us directly during our food kitchen nights. We won't bite, we are vegetarians!
If you know of a local fruit and vegetable grocer or market in your area that is willing to give you their left-overs and throwaways on a weekly basis then you are off to a flying start. Alternatively, you can get in contact with us and we will endeavour to find you some food with which to cook. Once you have a source of food you will require a kitchen and cutlery to cook with. Some local libraries or community centres are sympathetic to what we're doing and so may allow you to use their kitchens to prepare in. Alternatively, you can use a private kitchen. You can serve the food indoors or outdoors. If a community centre has allowed you to use their kitchen they may allow you to use their premises for the actual food kitchen serving. The three Food Not Bombs food kitchens currently operating in Melbourne are all outdoors. Sometimes working wiyh government funded community centres can be more trouble than it is worth due to rules, regulations and expected compromises. Its not hard to just do it by yourselves.
Food Not Bombs does not just do food kitchens. There are lots of things you can do if starting a food kitchen seems too daunting a task. Here are some of the things we always need help with: Artwork (antimilitarism, veganism, FNB artwork, anti welfare cuts etc). Drop offs (If you know someone in need of food you could arrange food deliveries in your ares from the food that you salvage from your local fruit and vegetable supplier). Protests and actions. Education. Supporting and promoting independant local food co-ops etc etc.
Obviously a food kitchen in Toorak may raise a few eyebrows, but it is not really going to benefit too many people. Working within your local community is probably the best way of maintaining and establishing a food kitchen. By setting up a kitchen in your local area you are establishing links and contacts in your local area. Also, you would be more inclined to know where a food kitchen would be appropriate. Melbourne's first Food Not Bombs kitchen occurred on a Sunday night in the City Square. After speaking to the homeless and poor who spend a lot of time in the City Square, the Food Not Bombs collective found at that Mondays was the better day to do a food kitchen in the City because most charities centred around later in the week and weekends. Think globally, act locally.
Before your first food kitchen, advertise! Posters in shops, local libraries, post offices and community centres are a good start. Food Not Bombs has appeared in a Boroondara Progress Press article. All that took was one phone call. As Australia is such a multicultural country the area you choose will not consist merely of white Anglo-Saxons. If your area, for example has a high Vietnamese population then some posters in Vietnamese explaining the food kitchen and its whereabouts would be a good idea. Again, if you work within your local are, you would be inclined to know what nationalities are more predominant.
From time to time, your collective may have to make decisions that you may not fully agree on. For example, receiving free food from a multinational corporaation or having to work with manipulative councillors in obtaining permits or resources is not everone's cup of tea. Your food kitchen may wish to use only organic fruit or vegetables or you may decide to use conventional produce also. Some food may not be taotally vegan that you receive (eg bacon/cheese rolls in a bakery pickup) and there is no 'one solution' to such problems when they arise.
The following list on hygiene is merely a guide. For more indepth answere to disease risks, contact your local Community Health Centre.
If you cook a meal for a food kitchen and left overs remain you may want to reheat the meal the next day. A cooked meal left over for a day may appear cold on the surface. However, inside the food particles may still be warm. In this warm enviroment hazrdous bacteria may breed, posing a potential risk to someone should they decide to eat it. Thus, if you want to reuse a cooked meal, make sure that you refrigerate it. Any food that appears rotting or containing fungis should be discarded. Only use raw fruit and vegetables that show no signs of serious deterioration.
When you serve a meal, have one or two persons behind the table serving the meals with spoons. The less people coming in contact with food stuffs the less possibility of disease transmission. Also, when serving food, do not allow the serving spoons to come into contact with the plates, especially if the plate has already been used and the person is coming back for seconds. Wash all plates, cutlery and containers in hot soapy water and scrub thoroughly after food kitchens. If you are nao at all sure of any practices then contact the appropriate authorities on disease risk prevention. Remember: Play it Safe!
Veganism is a way of living which excludes all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to the animal kingdom, and includes a revernce for life. It applies to the practice of refusing to eat flesh, fish, fowl, eggs, animal milk and other dairy products, and encourages the use of alternatives for all commodities derived wholly or in part from animals. Thus, a vegan will not use such products as fur, leather, wool or silk. Vegans are equally opposed to vivisection and using products tested on animals and abhor the keeping of animals in circuses and zoos. Veganism is based on both scientific and moral grounds and seeks to bring about healthy people, a healthy planet and proper use of the earth's resources.
The common cause of death in Australia: Heart Disease
Heart attack strikes an Australian, every 25 seconds
Heart attack kills an Australian, Every 45 seconds
The risk of death from a heart attack for the average Australian: 45%
The risk of death from a heart atttack for an Australian who consumes no meat: 12%
The risk of death from a heart attack for an Australian who consumes no meat, dairy products or egg: 4%
In Australia an acre of forest disappears every 5 seconds
The amount of trees spared by each individual who switches to a complete vegetarian diet; 1 acre
Current rate of extinction due to the detruction of tropical rainforests and related habitats, for meat and dairy consumption: 1,000 species a year
Length of time the world's petroleum reserves would last if all human beings ate a meat centred diet: 13 years
Length of time the world's petroleum reserves would last if all human beings ate a vegetarian diet: 260 years
Calories of fossil fuels expended to get 1 calorie of protein from beef: 78
Calories of fossil fuels expended to get 1 calorie of protein from soybeans: 2
How frequently a child dies as a result of malnutrition; every 2.3 seconds
Number of people who die from malnutrition every day; 54,794
Number of people who will die from malnutrition this year: 20,000,000
The number of people who could be adequately nourished from the amount of land water and energy freed from growing grains and soybeans to feed Australian live stock, if Australians reduced their meat intake by 10%: 60,00,000
There's plenty to eat, without choosing meat.
Did you know that the average Australian meat eater,in the course of their life will devour 2295 animals, as well as a lot of other products from animals kept in factory like conditions? Not many people think about it but the meat, dairy and argrichemical industries which supply us with the food on the plate are REALLY huge and involve amazing amounts of money. These industries have and do use their huge economic power to maintain and increase their markets. This means that most studies conducted by medical practitioners into the effects of various diets, chemicals in the diet etc, etc are funded directly by these industry groups. Questions are asked and explored or reported on in ways which support the meat and dairy industries interests. This is quite direct and easy to map by looking through medical and health journals. Medical conferences are often funded by meat and dairy groups. When the five food groups (including meat and dairy as essential to human nutrition) were created; this was the product of an American meat organisation. The Australian Meat and Livestock Board has a section in its annual report each year dedicated to reports funded relating to 'Potential threats to the industry'. In this reports are funded which counter the idea that meat is bad for human health.. this information is then supplied throughout the industry so that any likely representitive is ready with the propaghanda. Another potential threat is the Animals Rights movement which is countered in similar ways; with arguments such as :conditions for animals in Australian factory farms are far superiour to those in American factory farms. They simply don't choose to see that the issue is not whether conditions are 'less horrific' but that society thinks it is okay to encarcerate beautiful cratures for short lives, pump them full of all types of drugs, generally treat them like machines and then kill thems in the most economically viable way. Maybe you don't see it like that either.
Maybe, in fact probably, compared to most other people, I have an extreme viewpoint on the treatment of non-human animals in our society. But then maybe the meat and dairy industries have a long and VERY successful history of teaching us, through all media, that animals are not like human beings...that they are there for our use...that we need to eat themm...etc etc etc.Imagine for just a second, how you would feel about the value of a person with brain injury in our society. Would you view it as cruel for us to torture and kill this person, even though they aren't as 'intelligent' as the average member of our society. In fact, would you think it was okay for the Einsteins of our society to enslave and use those of us with less mental capacity? Surely this is merely deciding that metal capacity is the be all and end all of human value. Few people would do this. Most of us accept that different people have different ares of special ability, and that each person has equal value merely in their existence. For all these reason oursociety chooses to provide (to an arguably reasonable degree) for all people regardless of differnt abilties in different areas.
You may have heard all this before, but it seems to me like most people hven't taken it in (not that I'm equting 'taking it in' with 'agreeing with me'). The logical extensionof all this for me, is that any creature, be it an ant an elephant or a human being, has its own intrinsic value and function. Human beings can be very healthy without killing or eating the products of other creatures and thus it makes sense for use to do so. In this way we respect the abilty to suffer and the right to existence of all creatures, and not just ourselves. When I see all the people around me..the majority of the population, simply NOT CARING about the two thousand two hundred and ninety five senseless deaths they will gnaw their way through, I almost despair. For me I feel as though I am living in the middle of a holocaust against all non-humans species, and there are few people who are not participating in this holcaust. I swear that anyone who had been inside factory farms and looked into the eyes of the battery hens, or the pigs or the calves, could never say that these animals are not living out an absolute hell on earth, with their only release in death. Compassion and meat-eating cannot co-exist.