June 8, 2009
In a Farmer’s Town, we do not have a Farmer’s Market
Youth make media to advocate for change in their community
By Esmeralda Martin
“In a farmer’s town we do not have a farmers market”, was the most memorable quote from Jose Rodriguez, a youth at the MO Project convening held in Kettleman City, California. Kettleman City is in the Central Valley, the nearest grocery store is a 30 mile drive and a gym-further than that! In Kettleman City, residents do not even have a safe sidewalk to walk on. Many people believe that health is simply what we eat and how we exercise-but health is something much deeper. Health is what is around us and what we can access day in and day out. If you live in Santa Monica and have access to a weekly farmers market and there is a gym nearby-health is more available than if you live in Kettleman City.
MO Project Youth Convening in Kettleman City
MO Project is a contest that gave California youth the opportunity to show these conditions to the state firsthand with their own voice. The first round of winners for MO Project have been selected but this is not just a contest… this is their livelihood…our livelihood. Our health is something we can change-but not alone. We can organize youth. Youth can organize people. People can organize community. And community? Communities can change the future of this state. As my favorite dicho says, “El pueblo unido jamas sera vencido!” Change is here and on the horizon. Click here to screen the winners and witness the change firsthand.
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2 reader comments on In a Farmer’s Town, we do not have a Farmer’s Market.
Great MO Project videos.
WOW-No grocery store or gym for over 30 miles!