Earth Day w/ the LA Greens: Food Sovereignty in Los Angeles

Tezozomoc (above), an elected leader of the South Central Farmers, was the LA Greens Earth Day speaker at our annual Earth Day event, on April 18.

Tezo, as he is known, discussed Food Sovereignty, a movement that "focuses on the right of smallholder farmers to produce food, which is undermined in many countries by national and international agricultural trade policy regulations...the right of each nation to maintain and develop their own capacity to produce foods that are crucial to national and community food security, respecting cultural diversity and diversity of production methods." (see Food Sovereignty: Towards democracy in localized food systems, a white paper on the subject.)

Citing the document referenced above frequently, Tezo presented concepts revolving around democratizing localized food production. Tezo explored the inter-relationships between labor,
agriculture, democracy, migration and capital and how it all came together at the South Central Farm.

The South Central Farmers Cooperative continues its mission of bringing healthy organic produce to impoverished people of the inner city. They are currently leasing land in Fresno and delivering produce to more and more customers as well as to their own families. Those interested in supporting their work may purchase fresh produce from them at one of the following farmers' markets:

Leimert Park Sat. 9-3
Hollywood Sun. 8-1
Atwater Vill. Sun. 9-2

Additionally, they are in the process of starting a community-supported agriculture program. More information can be had at: SouthCentralFarmers.com

The South Central Farmers Health and Education Fund hosts monthly street fairs, or Tianguis, where their produce is available to all and workshops offer health information and cooking demostrations. The Tianguis is held every first Sunday of the month from about noon to 5.