Food for Thought (... and Action!)

This is one of two programs developed at First Unitarian Church in Portland, Oregon. The other is the 1-2-3 Response to Global Warming.

Would you like to

  • reduce world hunger,
  • promote good health,
  • reduce water shortages,
  • reduce air, water, and soil pollution,
  • support local farmers, and
  • reduce global warming?

You may wonder how you and your congregation would be able to tackle all of these important issues. But by using the "power of the plate" - your daily personal food choices -  you can simultaneously make a difference in all of these areas!

Portland 1st Unitarian Church in Oregon conducted a very effective and successful campaign to help their church members use the "power of the plate" to work for social and environmental justice. They have generously agreed to share their campaign materials, and have given permission for other churches to modify these materials for their own use. You can also take this toolkit out into the secular world - anywhere there's a group of people!

Here's the campaign kit of materials

Read this first!

Here are 9 Keys to Success for the Food for Thought campaign leaders.

Here are the materials to print out for the participants in your campaign

Further local information you can compile for your participants:

  • Recommended Restaurant List - Compile a list of local restaurant suggestions that serve organic and/or locally produced food and drink. Include location, phone number, hours of operation, and so on. This may take a little research, but it will be a helpful aid to your participants ... and will also alert restaurant owners that people are looking for such options!
    Here's an example of what you can create for your own region.
  • Farmer's Markets and CSAs - Compile a list of local Farmer's Markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) organizations. Try to provide all the information needed (e.g. location, phone number, hours of operation, website and so on) so people will be able to easily take advantage of these sources.
    Here's an example of what you can create for your own region.

FarCry - Mollio