January 18 is "National Thesaurus Day,” and we’re celebrating with an exploration of some of the words that come up when we talk about people’s access to food. At Coal Creek Meals on Wheels, we are always learning. Have terms you'd add to our list? Let us know!
“Solidarity” vs. “Charity”
Charity can imply a one-way transaction where those with resources give to those without. This can reinforce a power dynamic between the giver and the recipient, even if it’s not intentional. Charity on its own doesn’t necessarily address the root causes of the issue. Solidarity, alternatively, implies the sense of unity and mutual support that we hope to embrace at Coal Creek Meals on Wheels. It recognizes that everyone has a role to play and the focus shifts toward working alongside communities to create lasting change. It emphasizes collaboration, and respect.
“Food Insecurity” vs. “Hunger”
Hunger is not very specific and simply refers to a lack of food, while the term food insecurity emphasizes a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. Food insecurity is a more accurate description of the issue we are working to address at Coal Creek Meals on Wheels.
“Food Sovereignty”
Food Sovereignty refers to people’s right to define the production, distribution, and
consumption of their food. It may relate to access to land free of pollution, access to fishing or hunting licenses, saving seeds, and more. Other organizations in Colorado that explicitly work for food sovereignty include: Nourish Colorado, Denver Urban Gardens, Commún, and Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger.
For more information about the terms in this blog post, check out this resource on Food Systems Terminology from the Healthy Food Coalition, and article in Public Health Nutrition.
Language around food access has evolved in recent years to reflect nuances and complexities. This Thesaurus Day, join us in working in solidarity with our communities to educate one another and tackle food insecurity!
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