Tropical fruits like bananas, coffee, and chocolate are available whenever we want. It's ironic that the majority of the people on the planet who are chronically hungry are small scale farmers, many who produce these items that we consume on a daily basis. Farming on a few acres for export rather than for their own families, many find it impossible to earn a fair price for their products. They are unable to compete with large multinational corporations that can access huge tracts of land, offer much higher volumes, and hence cheaper prices. Indebted countries often have no choice but to remove policies that protect local markets, and open their doors to a flood of foreign food in order to receive financial assistance. The very farm families that bring us our fixes, might be forced to sell their land and find work as low-paid factory or migrant workers. How can we be more mindful of these connections?
Small change? Instead of your regular coffee or chocolate fix, choose the fair trade alternative. If the shop doesn't carry it, ask them why not.
Prayer: God who connects us all, make us hungry for justice and a fuller life in You. Isaiah 58:6-7, 9-12
From the field or farm where it's grown to our dinner tables, the food we eat has travelled on average 2,400 kilometres passing through many hands along the way.
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