Global Economic Justice Poster

Food Not Bombs [6] shares free vegetarian food with hungry people, and protests war and poverty. Food Not Bombs now has hundreds of autonomous chapters throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia.

The first group was formed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1980 by anti-nuclear activists. Food Not Bombs is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to nonviolent social change. Food Not Bombs has no formal leaders and strives to include everyone in its decision-making process. Each group recovers food that would otherwise be thrown out and makes fresh hot vegetarian meals that are served in public spaces to anyone without restriction. Each independent group also serves free vegetarian meals at protests and other events.

At the outset, starting a Food Not Bombs might seem like more than you can handle. Work on the basics, taking one step at a time. There is no need to feel pressured into accomplishing everything all at once.

Once you have made the decision to start a local Food Not Bombs group, talk to other people you know who might be interested. It might be a group of friends, or members of an existing group. Pick a meeting date, time, and place. The following is a suggested step-by-step process.

Step 1: Establish Contact Points

Start by getting a phone number, email address, and a mailing address. Use a voice mailbox, so you can have an out-going message with information about the next meeting time and place and you can receive messages so you never miss a call. Likewise, use a commercial mailbox or post office box for your permanent address.

Step 2: Publicize Meetings

Next, make flyers announcing the existence of a local Food Not Bombs group. By handing them out at events, posting them around town, and/or mailing them out to your friends, you will start getting phone calls, mail, and additional volunteers.

Step 3: Find a Vehicle

The next step is to arrange for the use of a vehicle. You might be able to arrange borrowing a van or truck from a sympathetic church group or similar organization. In some cases it's better to use bikes and bike carts. This is very common in Europe.

Step 4: Locate Food

With flyers in hand, begin looking for sources of food. The first places to approach are the local food co-ops and health food stores. These types of stores tend to be more supportive and are a good place to practice your approach. Ask the produce managers if they ever throw away any excess produce. Explain that you are willing to collect any food which is still edible but which will not or cannot be sold. Early on, also visit bakeries and ask for day old bread.

Step 5: Deliver

Deliver this bulk food to shelters and meal kitchens. It is important to get to know the food pantries and soup kitchens in your area. Learn where they are located, whom they serve, and how many they serve. As your delivery route develops, the schedule of free food programs in your community will become clear to you. With this information, you will know where and when there is a need to provide a hot meal and, therefore, where and when to set-up a Food Not Bombs table out in public on the street or in a park.

Step 6: Serve on the Streets

It won't be long before the network of a few stores and bakeries will be giving more food than you will be able to distribute to shelters. At first, go to demonstrations. There, the group can recruit more volunteers, collect donations, and lift spirits.

Step 7: Serve Homeless People

Once there are enough people involved, consider serving meals one day a week to the homeless on the street in a visible way. Every group has different kitchen arrangements. Some use several people's home kitchens, some use a donated church kitchen or other industrial-strength kitchen, and some use propane stoves and cook right at the site.