Food for Thought

Get Inspired: Barney’s New Life Health Food Store

Food for Thought! We all have a right to access food, water, and resources we need to survive and thrive. We're inviting your family to think about how we can improve access to resources in all communities. Check out the video about a Black-owned health food store in North Lawndale and how their store brings fresh food to a food desert.

An urban food desert is a community where people have to travel over a half a mile to access fresh and nutritious food. Businesses and organizations like Barney's New Life Health Foods are mobilizing to provide healthy options in communities with limited access to resources. We all can work together to make sure fresh food and resources are accessible for all.

This film was produced by Free Spirit Media, an organization that transforms media and society by providing opportunities for emerging creators, primarily for communities of color, to produce and distribute original content. We love their inspiring work!

Let’s Talk

After watching the video about New Life, use the questions below to kick-start a great conversation with your family today:

• What stood out to you about the video about New Life? What do you want to know more about?

• Why is it important to have access to healthy foods?

• What's your favorite way to stay healthy at home? Is it cooking a nutritious meal, exercising?

• Bonus! Support a local store with fresh food near you!

Do Something: You can pickle that!

Gather all your veggies! Today, we're learning how to quickly pickle produce like cucumbers, onions, and carrots, so it can stay fresh and full of nutrients for long periods of time. Pick out a couple of items from your fridge and check out the video below to get pickling!

Pickling food helps to reduce food waste by increasing the shelf life of produce. And it's good for you too! Pickled and fermented food have lots of good bacteria called probiotics that help improve digestion and stomach health.

After you’ve created your delicious pickled creations, share a jar or two with a neighbor or family member.

Community Connections: Brave Space Alliance

Stock local food pantries. Brave Space Alliance is the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ center on the South Side of Chicago. They provide vital resources and programming on health and wellness, visibility, and solidarity for the LGBTQ+ community. While many of their programs are now on hold or online, they have been running a crisis food pantry since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver food and resources to neighbors in need.

If you're out grocery shopping for your own family, consider picking up some extra items to drop off at the pantry on your way home. Brave Space Alliance is located at 1515 E 52nd Place on the 3rd floor. Donations are accepted Monday through Friday 10:00am to 5:00pm. Call 872-333-5199 if you have trouble finding them.

Currently, the pantry is most in need of non-perishable foods including rice, cereal, pasta, soups, and canned vegetables. Check out Brave Space Alliance’s website for the most up-to-date needs.