Food Empowerment Project

TAKE ACTION: Tell Illinois lawmakers to bid farewell to foam. Each year, Americans dispose of millions of single-use plastic items, such as take-out containers and party cups. These items, intended for brief use, persist in the environment as tiny particles for centuries. A citizen science report by the Alliance for the Great Lakes revealed that 86% of litter gathered by volunteers during beach cleanups contained plastic. It's time to act and halt the influx of plastic into our environment. Sign the petition at https://buff.ly/swO1HcM to take action on this initiative. Note: Food Empowerment Project stands firmly against all forms of discrimination and advocates for the liberation of all individuals. We recognize that certain communities, particularly those with disabilities, depend on single-use plastics. We urge those who are able to reduce their plastic consumption to take action, while acknowledging that this may not be feasible for everyone.

Did you know when you order one of our most loved resources, One Glass At a Time leaflet, we send it to you for free? The leaflet is now available to order in Spanish! Order it today to learn about the injustices taking place in the dairy industry from deeply rooted colonization and animal exploitation to worker mistreatment and environmental racism.???? ?? Visit GotColonization.org to order today!

?? Celebrating the Legacy of Fannie Lou Hamer ?? This Women's History Month, we honor the incredible Fannie Lou Hamer, a trailblazer in the civil rights movement, whose courage and determination continue to inspire us all. From her powerful speeches to her relentless fight for voting rights, she paved the way for change and justice. Fannie Lou Hamer taught us the importance of standing up for what is right and using our voices to make a difference. Her legacy reminds us that every step toward equality counts and that resilience can change the world. Let’s continue her campaign for equality and her fight for justice for all. ?? ?

#WorldWaterDay?? Much of this water goes to crop irrigation, but a significant proportion (about 8% of the total) is used to raise animals for “meat,” dairy and eggs. Animal agriculture’s water consumption varies greatly by country, however: for instance, in the US, animal agriculture accounts for nearly half of all freshwater used every year, with a withdrawal rate of about 1.8 billion gallons *per day.* ?? Read more here at Foodispower.org

Vegan soul food embodies liberation, resilience, culture, tradition, and innovation. During slavery, enslaved Black individuals were provided with scraps from various parts of animals deemed undesirable by their enslavers, which they transformed into meals. Acknowledging the history and recipes of the Black community is crucial to honoring their legacy and contributions. The Food Empowerment Project launched vegansoulfood.org to showcase plant-based cultural dishes from the African diaspora. We are seeking your support to make these resources accessible and convenient for everyone. Please consider donating to our fundraiser at vegansoulfood.org to help us expand access to vegan soul food for all. ?? ?? ??

Mexico City has officially prohibited violent bullfighting! ?? Passed with a 61-1 vote, this landmark legislation bans the killing of bulls and the use of sharp objects that could harm them. It also imposes time limits on how long bulls can remain in the ring. According to NPR, up to 180,000 bulls are killed annually in bullfighting worldwide! While there is still progress to be made to ensure the safety of all animals, including bulls, this is a significant victory! ?? ??

Be a part of Food Empowerment Project’s (F.E.P.’s) third annual writing and illustration scholarship contest. F.E.P. was established to help liberate, and empower human and non-human animals facing injustice and to spread the importance of eating our ethics. ?? ?? This contest is open to youth to expand on this year’s theme: “A Journey to Justice: Amplifying Every Voice”. Youth hold a special position of power in the world. Many directly face the repercussions of unjust systems created by individuals who are supposed to safeguard their future. For this reason, all youth deserve an outlet to express their passion, pain, and yearning for just change. Applying for the writing or illustration scholarship is an opportunity to do just that! The topics and instructions can be found at https://buff.ly/rLmVvYR. Submissions due by May 29, 2025 at 11:59 PM, PST. Winners are announced in the Summer! ?? ??? ??

Support the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe in their efforts to reclaim the Presidio, a national park located on their traditional homelands in San Francisco! Following an executive order that could dissolve the Presidio Trust, the federal agency currently managing the property, we are aiding the tribe in petitioning President Trump and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to return the Presidio to its original inhabitants. Achieving this would provide the Muwekma Ohlone with a new reservation, enabling them to further their cultural teaching and ecological preservation goals while demonstrating Indigenous stewardship of sacred, ancestral lands for future generations. Please sign, share, and support this important #landback initiative! Take action at https://buff.ly/KVELAnY.

Vegan soul food embodies the resilience, adaptability, and cultural heritage of individuals from the African diaspora. ?? The Food Empowerment Project is seeking support to make our Vegan Soul Food Recipe Guide accessible and convenient for everyone! You can contribute to this mission by donating at https://buff.ly/U6jeID9. Jaz Boler, one of the inspirations behind the creation of vegansoulfood.org developed a traditional cornbread recipe and shared her thoughts on what vegan soul food means to her, as quoted in the image. You can find Jaz’s traditional cornbread recipe at vegansoulfood.org! ??

Tell the State Department that trans individuals need and deserve passports that accurately reflect their true identities. ????? The Trump administration has openly targeted the trans community. The right to travel freely and safely is a fundamental right that must not be denied to trans, nonbinary, and intersex individuals. Visit https://buff.ly/L3L9z57 to take action in support of the trans community. ??