Introduction

The name Food Not Bombs states our most fundamental principle:  society needs to promote life, not death.  Our society, and especially those in power, condones, and even promotes violence and domination, leading to terrible suffering.  This affects our everyday lives through the constant threat of violent crime, domestic violence, police repression, and the threat of total annihilation from nuclear war and the use of other weapons of mass destruction.

Poverty is Violence

Poverty is violence and one expression of poverty is hunger.  Millions of Americans, almost half of them children, go hungry each day.  Globally, we continue to spend more time and resources developing, using, and threatening to use weapons of mass destruction than on nurturing and celebrating life.  By spending this money on bombs instead of food, our government perpetuates and exacerbates the violence of poverty.

Furthermore, the world produces enough food to feed everyone – if distributed equally.  There is an abundance of food.  In fact, this country, every day in every city, far more edible food is discarded than is needed to feed those who do not have enough to eat.

Sharing Creates Abundance

Food Not Bombs responds to hunger, poverty, and the lack of self-esteem in two ways.  First, we provide free food in an open, respectful way to whomever wants it.  We take food that stores and other businesses throw away because it is “unsellable” or otherwise unappealing to “consumers.”  With this food, we prepare and cook meals, distribute groceries, and otherwise share as much as we can.  We will not make people jump through any bureaucratic hoops designed to control, humiliate, and often punish the people who are poor.  We believe food is an inherent right.

Second, we invite people who receive food to become involved in providing that food.  This provides an opportunity for them to regain their power and recognize their ability to contribute and make a change.  It goes without saying that sharing creates abundance and with more abundance, the happier we are.

Direct Action

Food Not Bombs takes direct action against this backward system by sharing and distributing abundant free food in a safe and caring space.  We exercise our rights to be happy, full of food, and safe from oppression.  Our intent is not to simply put a bandage on the problem of hunger, poverty, and violence in our community, but to confront these problems at their roots.  Food Not Bombs is devoted to developing positive personal, political, and economic alternatives.  We want to create new alternatives and life-affirming structures from the ground up.  We want to replace the culture of death and domination with a culture of “Bikes not Bombs,” “Day-care Not Bombs,” “Health Care Not Bombs,” “Homes Not Jails,” and so on.  We want a sustainable, healthy, happy, and peaceful existence and we want it now.

 

 

 We Act...

               Because FOOD is a RIGHT not a privilege!
               Because there is enough food for everyone to eat!
               Because SCARCITY is a LIE!
               Because a woman should not have to use her
               body to get a meal, or to have a place to sleep!
               Because when we are hungry or homeless we
               have the right to get what we need by
               panning, busking or squatting!
               Because POVERTY is a form of VIOLENCE
               not necessary or natural!
               Because capitalism makes food a source of
               profit not a source of nutrition!

               Because Food Grows on Trees.

                Because we need COMMUNITY not CONTROL!
                Because we need HOMES not JAILS!
                Because we need...

                FOOD NOT BOMBS

               ACT