The Food Not Bombs Story

Food Not Bombs is one of the fastest growing revolutionary movements and is gaining momentum throughout the world. There are hundreds of autonomous chapters sharing free vegetarian food with hungry people and protesting war and poverty. Food Not Bombs is not a charity. This energetic grassroots movement is active throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. Food Not Bombs is organizing for peace and an end to the occupations of Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine. For over 25 years the movement has worked to end hunger and has supported actions to stop the globalization of the economy, restrictions to the movements of people, end exploitation and the destruction of the earth.

The first group was formed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1980 by anti-nuclear activists. Food Not Bombs is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to nonviolent social change. Food Not Bombs has no formal leaders and strives to include everyone in its decision making process. Each group recovers food that would otherwise be thrown out and makes fresh hot vegetarian meals that are served in outside in public spaces to anyone without restriction. Each independent group also serves free vegetarian meals at protests and other events. The San Francisco chapter has been arrested over 1,000 times in government's effort to silence its protest against the city's anti- homeless policies. Amnesty International states it will adopt those Food Not Bombs volunteers that are convicted as "Prisoners of Conscience" and will work for their unconditional release. Even though we are dedicated to nonviolence Food Not Bombs activists in the United States have been under investigation by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, Pentagon and other intelligence agencies. A number of Food Not Bombs volunteers have been arrested on terrorism charges but there has never been a conviction.

Food Not Bombs is often the first to provide food and supplies to the survivors of natural disasters and terrorist attacks. During the first three days after the 1989 Earthquake, Food Not Bombs was the only organization in San Francisco providing hot meals to the survivors and the Long Beach chapter provided food after the North Ridge Earthquake. Food Not Bombs was also the first to provide hot meals to the rescue workers responding to September 11th World Trade Center attacks. Food Not Bombs volunteers were among the first to provide food and help to the survivors of the Asian Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. Our volunteers organized a national collection program and delivered bus and truckloads of food and supplies to the gulf region. We have been one of the only organizations sharing daily meals in New Orleans since Katrina. You can rely on Food Not Bombs in a disaster and we are ready to help in the future.

Food Not Bombs works in coalition with groups like Earth First!, The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee, Anarchist Black Cross, the IWW, Homes Not Jails, Anti Racist Action, In Defense of Animals, the Free Radio Movement and other organizations on the cutting edge of positive social change and resistance to the new global austerity program. One collective publishes a movement wide newsletter called A Food Not Bombs Menu. Another hosts FNB News where you can learn more about the Food Not Bombs community. Food Not Bombs Publishing in Takoma Park, Maryland publishes books like On Conflict and Consensus which has been an important guide for group democracy. We hope you will join us in taking direct action towards creating a world free from domination, coercion and violence. Food is a right, not a privilege.

Please visit these pages to find out how you can help us work for peace and justice.

THE MAIN MENU
Basic information about Food Not Bombs and links to sites that might help you with your Food Not Bombs actions.


HOT DISHES

Current actions and news about peace and social justice issues.


Videos of Food Not Bombs

Take a look at Food Not Bombs volunteers cooking, sharing food and taking action for peace and social justice.


25 YEARS OF FOOD NOT BOMBS

Actions on May 28 and 29, 2005 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Food Not Bombs movement.


CONTACT LIST

This is the contact information for local Food Not Bombs groups all over the world.


A DOLLAR FOR PEACE

Send us a dollar to support the peace movement. In this time of crisis, facing an end to democracy in the United States, the destruction of the environment and the Permanent War, it is more important than ever to build as large and powerful resistance moment as possible. Food Not Bombs has been working for peace and justice for 25 years and can use your support.




         


Food Not Bombs
P.O. Box 424, Arroyo Seco, NM 87514 USA
505-776-3880
1-800-884-1136
menu@foodnotbombs.net
www.foodnotbombs.net

Find out more about this website and the Food Not Bombs Menu Collective

Subscribe to the Food Not Bombs List
at Riseup and join the conversation with other Food Not Bombs volunteers.

Start a Food Not Bombs group in you community today!
Get a copy
of the 20th Anniversary edition of
the FOOD NOT BOMBS handbook

Invite Food Not Bombs cofounders C.T. Butler and Keith McHenry
to speak to your community

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FOOD NOT BOMBS CONTACTS