Youth LEAD takes on food justice in Miami

By Erin Healy

Youth L.E.A.D. (Leading Environmental Activism through Democracy) is a young “food justice” nonprofit in Miami, Florida that educates and empowers underserved teens as activists through training and service learning projects. We work in urban food deserts where residents have low access to healthy food options. (Image: D.B. Bupeamie, a Youth LEADer who came to the market shut-down protest at Roots in the City Farm, works a farmers market.)

Two farmers markets – Roots in the City in Overtown and the Breaking Ground Program farmers market held at TACOLCY Park – were recently shut down by the city of Miami (District 5). Many food justice supporters protested, publicly criticizing the city’s move, which stands in contrast to a nationwide trend to increase access to healthy foods in underserved neighborhoods.

YL uses such opportunities to expose youth participants to the democratic and local political process in an effort to build their capacity to utilize proper mechanisms to voice community needs and preferences to government officials and agencies.

We are also working with the South Florida Food Policy Council, Urban Greenworks, Roots in the City, and the Consortium for a Healthier Miami Dade to develop recommendations for the city that support food justice efforts through streamlined, transparent, and efficient policies and procedures for urban & local food systems.

Students go through 12 weeks of training, exploring how food, environment, health, and social justice intersect. The training includes hands-on activities, guest speakers, healthy food demonstrations, and field trips to urban farms, farmers markets, and supermarkets.

Once teens have completed the training, they embark on a service learning project through partnerships with other local organizations to gain hands-on experience in effective strategies that increase access to healthy foods. Here’s a brief demo of one of our classes:

YL most often partners with Urban Oasis Project, which implements farmers markets that offer a 2-for-1 discount for EBT (food stamp) recipients, and Urban Greenworks, which plans and builds community gardens.

Youth who show commitment and interest in the program are placed into paid positions of leadership to mentor other youth, coordinate activities, and learn the ropes of the local food system.  Some of the youth from the Breaking Ground Program – a collaborative between YL and UGW – have changed their eating habits based on the program.

Kevin Lemonier, an Edison High senior, started reading labels, reducing portion size, and replacing junk foods with salads and fruits. When asked if he felt a difference with his new regime, Kevin explained to the other youth, “I have more energy. I don’t have to take a nap when I get home from school anymore, and I’ve lost weight.”

Judith Faucet, a ninth grader, stopped eating red meat based on what she learned about the dangers of hormones and chemicals found in much of factory-farmed beef as well as its contribution to global warming. Judith has also learned that she loves almond milk and wants to learn more healthy recipes.

Three youth received paid jobs through the Breaking Ground Program, which is supported by the William Bingham Foundation, and two more youth are now paid apprentices at farmers market run by Urban Oasis Project, thanks to funding YL received from Allegheny Franciscan Ministries.

These apprentices conduct outreach in the community to inform residents of the markets and the 2-for-1 discount for EBT recipients, and they are learning various job skills in the process, including running a small business, math and sales calculations, public speaking, community organizing, and coordinating local food systems.

Youth L.E.A.D. is always seeking volunteers. Email us for more information. And we gladly accept donations:

$100 supports a youth apprentice for one month.
$300 covers the cost of a food demo for 50
$500 sponsors a youth to complete the full Activist Academy

You can also be an Everyday Activist:

1. Be a smart consumer. Eat local foods, read labels, and buy foods with little to no packaging.

2. Use reusable bags and reduce use or plastic. Never use styrofoam, which never biodegrades.

3. Get active in your community or school. Join or form a group that seeks to make your school or community healthier and more environmentally sustainable.