February 6, 2011

By Rachel

Hi Cornerstone Friends,

I am so excited to learn that you are taking on HUNGER in your next cycle. I live in New Orleans where food is such a huge part of how people define themselves, yet thousands of children are denied access to tasty, healthy food that reflects their rich cultural heritage. I work with a group of youth activists called the Rethinkers who have spent the past 5 years trying to improve school food and cafeterias in New Orleans. At one of our schools 95% of students reported that they eat the food at school because they are hungry, not because they like it. Rather than dwell on hunger, though, we use music, theater, art and digital media to express our visions for a different reality. We also cook together, and we’re starting a garden! I hope some of y’all will come visit.

Here’s our website: www.therethinkers.com and here’s a video that shows the Rethinkers in action:

http://www.therethinkers.com/2008/rethink-documentary-2008/

Food is also an important part of my own personal ritual. I am a political vegan and I also don’t eat gluten, so I do a lot of cooking for myself. I have a new video blog where I cook and sing pop songs (vgfk.wordpress.com)! The cooking feeds me, but it’s really the singing that makes me feel full.

All my love,

Rachel