A Growing Solution

When approaching the issue of slavery many people say the issue of poverty must be addressed first. As Kevin Bales puts it, “Ending poverty to end slavery to end poverty to end slavery,” he believes that there is a constant cycle of poverty leading to slavery, which creates more poverty ending in more slavery. There is a growing solution to the issue of poverty. Instead of simply donating food to those in need we must show them how to provide for themselves by teaching them to grow their own food. This process can lead to a healthier, more self-reliant and resilient community creating security and lifting people out of the bonds of an enslaved life. This creates jobs for those in need; it also provides food at a cheaper price that can pull people out of poverty.

Will Allen, CEO of Growing Power in Milwaukee Wisconsin, believes that there cannot be a healthy community without a healthy food system. He has created an organization centered in the inner city of Milwaukee where community members can go and learn how to grow their own food. Allen teaches people how to grow in urban areas; he believes “anyone can grow food”.

Growing food in urban areas is huge for the individual farmer as well as the community. Having local farmers markets provides the community with jobs as well as the ability to buy fresh local food that is inexpensive and better for their health.

Inner city farmers markets provide opportunities for local farmers as well as local entrepreneurs looking to become apart of the market. City gardens bring pride to a community and neighborhood, citizens become proud of their ability to grow and sell their own food.

Teaching someone to garden and grow their own food is giving them power. It’s creating jobs, giving a community a sense of pride, and pulling people out of poverty. Instead of donating soup cans and giving only temporary aid, we must get involved and help eliminate the problem for good. Just like the cycle Kevin Bales talks about, gardening can be a growing solution to end hunger to end poverty to end slavery.

photo credit: http://urbantreenursery.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/growing-power-chicago-sign-recropped.jpg