YOUTH SPOTLIGHT
groundworks somerville
“Our Food Holds Our Story” is a collaboration between Groundwork Somerville’s Green Team
and Radici Studios’ artist, Jennifer Bloomer. The image was created to share our vision of food
justice and our community’s work to create a food system that supports us all.
The Green Team is a teen employment program, focused on urban agriculture, environmental
justice, and civic engagement. While working in our community of Somerville, MA, we learn
about food systems, racial justice, and health equity, and we work to take action on these
issues. We are based at South Street Farm, where we grow fresh vegetables for our neighbors,
and host community gatherings.
We want to learn from you too! Food and recipes
can be a great starting point for sharing our stories
and culture. What recipes have connected you to
your family’s cultural heritage? How are these dishes
prepared and enjoyed? Share your story with us by
using the hashtag #ourfoodourstory on Facebook,
Twitter, or Instagram, and follow the World Crops
Project as it grows at bit.ly/worldcrops.
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The roots of the callaloo plant central to our image
symbolize the deep connections between food, people,
culture, and place. Small-scale urban and rural farmers
play an essential role in protecting and cultivating
something deeper than just physical nutrition. As we
grow these foods, we are demanding food justice,
racial justice, and health equity. We are also celebrating
the traditions that make our community dynamic and
strong.
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“Our Food Holds Our Story” shows Senhor Antonio, our founding mentor farmer, standing
with members of the Green Team. Somerville is home to vibrant immigrant communities, and
through the World Crops Project, mentor farmers teach the Green Team how to grow culturally
relevant crops that are not available in local grocery stores. These crops include jiló—a Brazilian
eggplant, callaloo—a leafy green common in Caribbean and south Asian dishes, and lalo—a
central ingredient in Caribbean stews. As we grow these crops, we learn the stories behind
them and their importance to immigrant cultures. Many Green Team members come from
these cultures themselves, but are learning about these food traditions for the first time.