Context
In 1980, Brian Feiganbaum was arrested during a demonstration in Boston (USA) against nuclear weapons. To pay his legal fees, 8 of his companions tried to raise funds by selling pastries made from unsold goods. They came up with the idea of organising a soup kitchen in front of the bank that was financing the nuclear weapons project. One thing led to another, and the movement began to distribute more and more meals to the homeless, particularly at anti-government demonstrations and during street outreach work.
Today, the movement, which does not consider itself an association, has several groups around the world. It operates horizontally, rejecting traditional forms of hierarchy. Anarchist and with a clear far-left stance, Food Not Bombs calls for social solidarity, food as a basic necessity and not a privilege, peace and an end to the exploitation of humans and animals.
The project
The Food Not Bombs movement has a number of independent groups, all sharing the same objective: to distribute vegetarian or vegan meals to people on the margins of society while promoting the values of the association. All meals are prepared from unsold food and donations. Depending on the group and the location, other activities may be carried out at the same time, such as supporting strikers, helping marginalised or occupied populations or victims of natural disasters, organising community projects, raising awareness, etc.
The groups operate on a voluntary basis and refuse all subsidies in order to maintain their independence. Anyone is free to launch a branch of the Food Not Bombs movement in their own community. All you need is enough volunteers and a place to cook. International meetings between the various groups enable the different branches of the movement to exchange ideas.
Over the last few years, a Food Not Bombs group has developed in Banja Luka, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and is implementing the actions mentioned above.
Who is it for ?
The project is aimed at people in precarious situations and also supports strikers, victims of natural disasters, refugees, the oppressed, etc.
Results
Food Not Bombs is now present in 65 different countries and 1,000 towns. The movement is an example of solidarity and self-organisation with strong convictions. Food Not Bombs activists have also succeeded in launching several other movements: Food Not Lawns, Homes Not Jails, Indymedia, Really Really Free Markets…
Little extra
Although the anti-speciesist and ecologist movement refuses to cook and supply meat products, the activists usually take it upon themselves to redistribute the meat products donated to them to other charities.
This initiative sheet was written by Manon Piocelle, LF trainee in February 2023.
Last modification : 29 Jun 2023.
Food Not Bombs
Food Not Bombs is a movement that aims to limit food waste and promote social and economic equity by distributing meals prepared from unsold food to the poor and marginalised.