Food Not Bombs started in May of 1980 in an effort to protest the Seabrook Station Nuclear Power Plant that was being constructed in New Hampshire. During the demonstration, one of their own was arrested and to raise money to bail him out, they began holding bake sales to raise funds. Though only small dollars were raised, the Food Not Bombs organization began to stir the political waters. Inspired by a poster being thrown out that read “Wouldn't it be a beautiful day if the schools had all the money they needed and the air force had to hold a bake sale to buy a bomber,” they purchased military uniforms and placed the sign next to their table. Business didn’t increase too drastically, but what they didn’t make in dollars was made up for 10 fold in the attention they gained for their purpose.

The volunteers of the organization were also reaching out to grocers and bakeries who were discarding unused or gently damaged dry goods or produce, and creating vegan meals that they would then share with the homeless. The First State Bank Project took notice of their efforts and recruited Food Not Bombs to participate in designing literature that conveyed the message of corruption that was happening in the nuclear industry. The Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant was being bought by the Public Service Company, whose board of directors was also made up of those who held a seat on the board of the Bank of Boston and a construction company named Babcock and Willcox who had been hired for the build.

As a way to show their stance against the nuclear station, they shared a meal outside the Federal Reserve Bank during a stockholders meeting of the Bank of Boston, as a way to bring awareness and take a stance against the exploitation of capitalism and investment in the nuclear industry. By spreading the word to nearby homeless shelter of their pop-up soup kitchen plans, they drew a crowd of almost 70, while also passing out pamphlets that informed passerby’s of how the bank’s policies resembled those of the banks that led to the Great Depression.

The most accurate description of what this organization seeks to accomplish is most accurately described on their website,”We recover food that would have been discarded and share it as a way of protesting war and poverty. With fifty cents of every U.S. federal tax dollar going to the military and forty percent of our food being discarded while so many people were struggling to feed their families that we could inspire the public to press for military spending to be redirected to human needs. We also reduce food waste and meet the direct need of our community by collecting discarded food, preparing vegan meals that we share with the hungry while providing literature about the need to change our society. Food Not Bombs also provides food to protesters and striking workers and organizes food relief after natural and political crisis.”

Denton is full of some very passionate people, and with full hearts a group of individuals have brought a Food Not Bombs Chapter to the little d. Inspired by the recent election and with the support of friends, Emily Scott resurrected the local chapter and recruited Channing Smith, Lindsey Adolfo, and Kaden Powers to help her get the wheels rolling. They held a benefit show at one of their homes on New Year’s Eve to help them raise the start-up funds to begin making things happen. Bands volunteered to play for free, and a $5 donation was given at the door.

They reached out to local businesses like Natural Grocers, Milpa, and Aura Cofee for food donations, and held their first community picnic this past Wednesday sharing in produce, chips, salsa, coffee, rolls and a vegan vegetable soup with an open invitation for those who wanted to be involved or just appreciated a meal. Food Not Bombs Denton is also working to prevent food waste, work to educate and encourage others to be more mindful of their eating habits, spread the benefits of a vegan/vegetarian diet, and service the community by aiding the homeless. With high hopes for the impact they will have in the community, they are already working to partner with local businesses, collaborate with community organizations, and continuing to create fundraising events that will allow them to continue to grow and positively affect as many people as possible.

Want to be apart of the movement? Check out Food Not Bombs Denton Chapter on Facebook and find out more!

Header image design by Brittany Keeton