Orange Shirt Day

Every year on September 30th, people across Canada wear orange and participate in Orange Shirt Day events to recognize and raise awareness about the history and legacies of the residential school system in Canada. Orange Shirt Day originates from the story of Phyllis Webstad from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation. In 1973, on her firstContinue reading “Orange Shirt Day”

Black Farmers: Historic Discrimination in North America

Written and edited by Christabel Menezes Sharecropping and Black Land Acquisition (1868-1900) Sharecropping: formerly enslaved farmers were leased small plots of land by giving a portion of the crop yield back to the landowner. This resulted in extreme power imbalances between landlords and leaser, often putting Black farmers in severe debt. “Sharecropping was like slaveryContinue reading “Black Farmers: Historic Discrimination in North America”

Black-Led Movements in Nutrition and Food Justice: Spotlight on the Black Panther Party

Written by Tanvir Jassal & Edited by Christabel Menezes Who are the Black Panthers? Established in 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in Oakland, California. Formed in response to ongoing systemic inequities in urban black communities despite the accomplishments of the Civil Rights Movement. Developed various community programs, including free clothing and shoes,Continue reading “Black-Led Movements in Nutrition and Food Justice: Spotlight on the Black Panther Party”

Cultural Humility: Venezuela

Gabby Puche and Christabel Menezes Corn Corn has remained an important staple in Venezuelan cuisine, providing comfort and a source of great nutrition. Nutrition: dietary fiber, whole grain, gluten free, lutein and zeaxanthin. It is used in arepas, empanadas, hallacas, cachapas and bollitos. Pabellón Criollo: Rice, beans, tajadas (plantains) and shredded meats. Pernil: Venezuelan porkContinue reading “Cultural Humility: Venezuela”

Canada is guilty. AND SO ARE WE: Reexamining the nutrition experiments

Written and researched by Christabel Menezes *TW: mentions of sexual violence, starvation, trauma and residential schools. Residential Schools Federal government funded schools that forced Indigenous children into assimilation. These schools attempted to ‘educate’ and convert youth, assimilating them into white Canadian society. Approximately 150,000 Indigenous children attended these schools, with 6,000 found dead*. Psychological impact:Continue reading “Canada is guilty. AND SO ARE WE: Reexamining the nutrition experiments”

Hispanic Serving Institutions

with accredited nutrition programs. What is an HSI? By definition, Hispanic Serving Institutions – or HSIs – are colleges or universities where Hispanic students comprise at least 25% of the full-time equivalent student body, and registered with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. They are certified by the Department of Education. There are 323Continue reading “Hispanic Serving Institutions”

Redlining, Food Apartheids and Black Food Justice

– Katie Petit and Riley De Jesus The USDA defines a food desert as “a neighborhood that lacks healthy food sources.” While this term has been widely used to describe communities with lack of access to fresh foods and grocery stores, it is imperative that we contextualize what this language can mean to people livingContinue reading “Redlining, Food Apartheids and Black Food Justice”