WHY

• A 'freegan', anti-consumerist, community-based weekly gathering, demonstrating against the military-industrial complex, against the senseless waste, nonsensical distribution systems and decision making processes of capitalist representative democracies, against the apathy and feelings of helplessness to effect change. It is a celebration of good, healthy food, of innovation, a promotion of involvement in community... 1) Highlighting problems of distribution and waste in our society, thereby illuminating the dysfunctionalities of the state and economy: a) Large amounts of public funds are siphoned off of for military expenditure (hence the 'Not Bombs' part of 'FNB'), despite the public largely disagreeing with state armament and war, and despite the immediate and basic needs of people not being met. There is a ludicrous, nonsensical and sinister side to the functioning of the state; a democracy which is supposedly representative yet constantly prioritises war/military conquest/weapon development and technology, and imperialist expansion over very basic individual needs. b) Modern methods of food distribution, e.g. supermarkets. Food otherwise fit for consumption is thrown away all the time. It's not just the food that is wasted but the energy used to grow this food, to transport this food. The water for irrigation. In a more abstract sense it encourages general disregard for what the earth produces, the time and effort it takes to grow food. There are issues regarding the labour (often very exploitative)necessary to grow the food cheaply and in such abundance that we can throw large amounts away. 2) The fact that the food is vegan gives real examples of how nutritious and yummy animal-product-free food can be. Considering the siphoning of public funds to support grossly non-ecological, environmentally catastrophic industries such as meat/diary production and fisheries, and also the ethical issues of subjugating animals and secondary issues related to the consumption of animal products resulting in chronic health problems and disease, which then relates to the medical/pharmaceutical industry (it's all related!!)... 3) The fact that the Whitechapel FNB is primarily bicycle oriented highlights issues of fossil fuel consumption. 4) The decentralised and non-hierarchical/consensus-based structure of the group is a real example of alternative methods of organising and functioning, one in which every individual is involved and everyone's opinions and ideas matter. 5) By sharing food in an inclusive manner, people who might not other wise engage in conversation find a time and a place to do so. Connecting with locals and fostering a sense of community is a crucial step towards re-imagining our society/community and how we want it to function, and also to combat alienation that can take over and is (I think) a completely intentional by-product of our supposed representative democratic state institutions.
• So basically to protest against the whole system, yes capitalism but in my opinion it is not only that... Anyway I am won’t go into that, the idea for me is to show how crazy the whole thing has become: this food is supposed to be wasted, but still we manage to cook it into (delicious hot vegan) meals. Just to point out the contradictions of such a system and way of life. I have not been involved in political activism for a long time but still, I was sick and tired of always being against this or against that, it is like I was not proposing any alternative - and FNB is really great for that as it is such a positive one. And well, I do it because I enjoying it of course- skipping, cooking together and everything :)
• Because production of waste is linked to making profit, and profit is at the heart of capitalism (which is not the nicest thing I've ever heard of). So tackling waste is fighting capitalism! Skipping is very empowering. Cooking with a lot of people is real good fun! Besides when you really get down to it, what is more important than food? I get free vegetables and meals for half of my week at rampart after skipping for FNB ;-)
• Questions/Challenges the basic principles of a society that values wasteful consumption over common sense, and governments that prioritize profit and war over sustainability and life. FNB is a practical hands-on protest against the violence of poverty and hunger. ‘An empty stomach is as painful as a punch in the stomach’; Poverty and hunger shorten lives- eating away at pride and self-reliance. FNB not only questions and provides an alternative, but also challenges the capitalist system- taking what is wasted- which ensures poverty and hunger continue-redistributing it and empowering people. A system that actively discourages us to share and be creative, profits from our alienation, hunger, disempowerment and misery- we need to change this. FNB- is not a charity of ‘us’ giving food to ‘them’; the idea is to provide people the means to effect change in their own lives, and to breakthrough the barriers of class, race, gender, age, ethnicity and all other artificial boundaries that keep people separated from one another. We do it for ourselves as much as others- creating the community we want to live in, challenging those who promote profit and war above life, community and sustainability. Food Recycling is one of the basic principles. Enough food is wasted each day to feed everyone who is hungry- aside from revealing the callous nature of relations that capitalism promotes, is totally unsustainable. It means a lot to me that FNB is vegan, as the meat and dairy industries are inherently violent and wasteful. We are able to show that neither are essential ingredients, and that Veganism/Vegetarianism is a healthier, cheaper, more resourceful and sustainable option. Likewise, the we try to use bikes as our main mode of transporting food. Getting together to cook, share food and ideas really positively contributes to the communities in which we are involved, and the community FNB creates. Serving food in public spaces, reclaims some space for us create an alternative to the status quo, and to challenge it.
• A home cooked meal made with vegetables and love is a very good thing to me. It is something that I would always be pleased to receive, so I take pleasure in giving it to others. My impression is that, particularly in a big city like London, there are many people cooking for one. Home cooking is a difficult thing to buy, and due to age / circumstances choices, many people have no one to eat and cook with. Food not bombs provides me with a positive way to interact with people outside of my immediate circle, to foster a sense of community, and in a small way to spread some joy in the face of overwhelming inner city loneliness and alienation. In terms of the beliefs behind FNB, the following points resonate with me: 1. Food is regularly being wasted. No one needs to go hungry. Our actions highlight this, hopefully encouraging people to realise that things don't need to be how they are. 2. Society would be better off operating within small cooperative groups. For me, living and eating more within community is the solution. We are much more powerful in small groups than acting as isolated individuals. We also waste less are more efficient due to economies of scale. Preparing food is work, and this can be shared and rotated. 3. Our planet has scarce natural resources and ever increasing, limitless consumption (necessary to feed a capitalist economy) is destroying it. 4. The money spent on defence budgets is obscene, given food, housing and educational shortages.
• For me, FNB is about creating the world I want to see. Rather than wait for a politician or a revolution to do it for me, I am doing it here and now. This includes free redistribution of resources and creating an alternative space in the community (ie. what we do in the park), as well as acts of solidarity and being part of a movement for social change (ie. catering for meetings/camps, prisoner support, feeding people at immigration centres, etc.) That's it :)
• Since the anti-World Trade Centre protests at Seattle in 1999 there has been a large, visible but amorphous, worldwide movement dubbed the anti-globalisation movement or anti-capitalist movement (I prefer the latter name). Although my political activity pre-dated Seattle I have been inspired by what came out of the anti-WTO protests and many of the ideas that have been suggested to take the movement forward. One of these ideas is sometimes known as 'dual power strategy' it is the idea that whilst 'fighting' the system and its associated evils (however you decide to 'fight' - protest, petition, direct action etc.) people should also try to develop 'alternative institutions' to those in mainstream society. These alternative institutions can include things like workers co-ops, housing co-ops and food co-ops; credit Unions, LETS schemes, barter markets, free shops; squats, social centres, community gardens etc. etc. For me, Food Not Bombs - providing an alternative to the 'free market' of buying, selling (and wasting) food; leaving some in our society hungry - fits into this concept. The development of dual power involves the setting up of networks of alternative institutions to create communities which are to some degree or other autonomous from capitalist society. Thus internationally we have a network of hundreds of FNB groups whilst locally FNB links into other alternative institutions' like Ramparts, LARC, Freecycle etc. Among the many flaws in this theory is of course the fact that most people involved in FNB or whatever don't necessarily see it in the same all embracing context, or as being 'revolutionary' in the sense of being part of a movement aiming to overturn capitalism. I accept this criticism but the alternative institution idea is what motivates me. Chances are FNB and similar projects won't strike the death knell of capitalism but at least in failing to achieve, what for me is the ultimate goal, we at least create some space for an alternative vision and do some good on the way.