Hey there! Welcome back for another flavorsome vegan recipe.
This week we're making food that’s good for the soul.
But, before we get into that I'd like to take a moment to touch on structural oppression within the food system and also recognize the privilege that there is in being able to obtain all these ingredients easily, to make some of my more complex recipes.
The average grocery store is 2.5 x smaller in low-income neighborhoods. This Brookings study found 67% of products more expensive in smaller convenience stores. The death of big-box, low-cost grocery stores in lower-income neighborhoods indicates an unmet market opportunity, as well as systematic, undercounts of demand. More retailers offering fresh and healthy food lowers risk for obesity and diabetes and provides economic benefits as well.
A lot of issues regarding liberation concern me and I believe that when there is no justice, there is no peace. An aspect of injustice I am directly associated with dismantling is the food scarcity and food desert issues that plague many low-income and underserved communities.
Some of my favorite businesses and resources to support that combat food insecurity are Goodr, Thrive, and Imperfect Foods.
Goodr is a company that tracks food establishments surplus food and organizes logistics to have it donated. Everything from pickup to donation, delivering real-time social and environmental impact.
Thrive Market is a digital retailer that sells foods up to 50% off regular prices. For every membership paid, another membership is given away to someone in need. Thrive partners with nonprofits to identify low-income families with unstable food access. The company also allows people to apply for free memberships via their website, prioritizing low earners, teachers, veterans, and students who might not be identified by other NGOs.
Imperfect Foods is a middle man of food waste and redistribution. They take leftover/extra/misfit foods and resell them for a lower price, and they deliver! If you meet the income qualifications for SNAP, you are eligible for our Reduced Cost Box Program, which takes 33% off the cost of your order, every time you order. This works out to be less than half what it would cost at the grocery store.
Learn more about resources combatting food insecurities HERE.
Donate to organizations that support Anti-Racism & #BlackLivesMatter, HERE.
And please know, that I know 'matter' is just the minimum.
For recipe inspo this week I reached out to followers on my personal social media pages asking for recommendations of their favorite meals to eat and make. Two answers inspired my choice for making this wonton soup recipe today; potstickers (because yum-relatable) and ch!ckn and dumplings soup (not my thing- but the nostalgia around it is incomparable). I thought, what better time than now to make a super healthy soup recipe.
Wonton Soup is better than Ch!ckn Noodle Soup, and of course, better than Ch!ckn and Dumplings… there is no debate here. My bias lies in the fact that I love, cherish and adore Asian food of all sorts, so that's how we ended up here; a ginger tempeh wonton, in an umami broth. Spice it up with some chili sauce, and add in your favorite fresh veggies for more fiber!
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