Community Meal Ignites Conversations About Healthy Food Access

Share On Social!

In Saint Paul, like in most cities across the U.S., many folks struggle to access healthy, affordable foods regularly. Seeing this in his neighborhood, artist and social justice advocate Seitu Jones wanted to begin a conversation about ways to ensure that all residents of Saint Paul get the nourishing food they need.

In 2013, Jones launched CREATE, a community gathering designed to ignite conversations about food, food access and food justice in the inner city. Create embarked on a year-long listening tour that engaged Saint Paul residents in conversations about food traditions, attitudes, rituals and access.

On Sunday September 14, 2014, CREATE invited the whole city to dinner for Create: The Community Meal. This celebration, which featured a half-mile long table running down the middle of Victoria Street, was complete with diverse cuisines and artistic expressions that reflect the world cultures that represent Saint Paul.

Jones sees the Community Meal as a catalyst for ongoing conversations about food, art and community. He hopes that CREATE will continue to foster conversations that turn into actions to lower barriers to making healthy food choices.

Read more about the CREATE: The Community Meal here.