It is a simple concept - food for the hungry, and protest against war. food not bombs collectives gather food from where it would go to waste, prepare it into tasy vegetarian dishes, and serve it to the hungry. as well, they advocate for the rights of the homeless and provide food and sustenance to other protesters.
anarchism
environmentalism
green anarchy
groundless solidarity
reclaim the streets
guerilla girls
art and revolution
advisory service for squatters
carnival against capitalism
direct action
construction of alternatives
redirection of existing forms
Website: http://www.foodnotbombs.net
Chapters exist in nearly every large north american city as well as a few chapters throughout western europe. see the section "other food not bombs" on the food not bombs website for a listing of chapters who have a presence on the web.
Food Not Bombs is one of the fastest growing revolutionary movements active in North America today and is gaining momentum all over the world. There are hundreds of autonomous chapters sharing vegetarian food with hungry people and protesting war and poverty throughout the Americas, Europe and Australia. The first group was formed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1980 by anti-nuclear activists. Food Not Bombs is an all volunteer organization dedicated to nonviolence. Food Not Bombs has no formal leaders and strives to include everyone in its decision making process. Each group recovers food that would otherwise be thrown out and makes fresh hot vegetarian meals that are served in city parks to anyone without restriction. The groups also serve free vegetarian meals at protests and other events. The San Francisco Chapter has been arrested over 1,000 times in an effort to silence its protest against the Mayor's anti- homeless policies. Amnesty International states it may adopt those Food Not Bombs volunteers that are imprisoned as "Prisoners of Conscience" and will work for their unconditional release.
Food Not Bombs works in coalition with groups like Earth First!, The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee, Anarchist Black Cross, the IWW, Homes Not Jails, Anti Racist Action, In Defense of Animals, the Free Radio Movement and other organizations on the cutting edge of positive social change and resistance to the new global austerity program. One collective publishes a movement wide newsletter called A Food Not Bombs Menu. There is also a German language Menu. Food Not Bombs Publishing in Takoma Park, Maryland publishes books like On Conflict and Consensus which has been an important guide for group democracy. We hope you will join us in taking direct action towards creating a world free from domination, coercion and violence. (" food not bombs story " from food not bombs website)
Food not bombs advocates the redirection of surplus food, to those who need it. this redistribution encourages community (as opposed to concepts of scarcity which promote disunity). one of the main tenets of food not bombs is their commitment to nonviolence, and thus oppose both the violence of poverty and of war. "We are committed to nonviolent social change by giving out free vegetarian food thus celebrating and nurturing life" (from the food not bombs hand book, "politics"). this commitment is reflected in the very structure of food not bombs, that is, non heirarchical and consensus based descision making.
Although none are explicitly cited, food not bombs grows out of a complex web of anarchist, environmentalist, vegan, pacifist and anti-poverty theory.
Mainly the military industrial complex, and the governments that would divert money to said military rather then the mouths of the homeless. As well, municipal governments are often targeted for their policies against the homeless.
Food not Bombs distributes flyers, has a website, and publishes books.
Through the direct action of redirecting food that would otherwise be wasted, in a peaceful and loving way, food not bombs disrupts the status quo of turning a blind eye to poverty. collectives vary in degrees of militancy, but all engage in the simple act of providing food for the hungry.
Continue to serve thousands of meals to thousands of people every day.
Food not bombs collectives aer generally well connected through the world of activism, and support other groups in their actions.