Seed Capital to
Abolish Food Deserts
From the Cyber Pen of Sasteh Meter Mosley
November 6th, 2011
To download your Application links: http://www.emwot.ws
Over the last three years, I have worked with many of you
individually to gain more Food Sovereignty for the residents of the East side
of Kansas City. Now I would like to
present a funding stream here in Kansas City that can provide the necessary
start-up funds for farms, community food projects, stipends for workers,
infrastructure for existing pantries, land acquisition, or any other reasonable
expenses to wash away any obstacle to producing healthy foods. I am in Oakland,
California for the Community Food Security Coalitions with thousands of other
in the country that realize we have to take the next step in the Food Movement.
With the announcement that Aldi will open in 2011, It was
suggested that the Food Desert in East Kansas City, MO will be eliminated. Unfortunately, the definition of having a
grocery store within a mile (12 city blocks) is woefully inadequate to address
the nutritional challenges of low income and high health risk residents. Several organizations have convened groups to
define solutions:
1. 2008 NBUF Food
System meetings at Dubois Learning Center with Bill Grace (DLC), The Beys
(Moorish Science Temple), Kenyattas (Seed Restaurant), and Sasteh Mosley (Amen
Christ Temple)
2. 2009 Black Agenda
Group present Jim Nunley Training on Health Care Foundation, Rosa James
(NAACP), Carol Coe, Debra Mann (Emmanuel Community Center)
3. 2009 Stimulus
Funds Economic Development Meetings on Creation of Green Jobs (Urban Farming),
Marlon Hammonds and Sasteh Mosley, Craig Bland (Freedom Inc), Clyde McQueen
(FEC), Ken Bacchus (Economic Development Chair BAG and Freedom Inc.), Carol Coe
(Convener), 19 other Activists
4. 2010 Urban Farming
Ordinance and Food Policy Summit, Beth
Gothstein (Organizer), Terry Riley, Sharon Sanders Brooks, Cindy Circo, Melba
Curls, John Sharp, and Ed Ford (Ten Voted in Favor of Ordinance), KCCUA, GCFPC,
Bad Seed, EMWOT, Green Acres
5. 2011 Urban Farm
Movement, Will Allen Abolish the Food Desert Event by Green Acres, Chicken
Ordinance KCMO, Green Acres Urban Farm and Research Project Aquaponics Program
(KCMO, KCMSD, BEU), EMWOT Urban Farm initiatives and services (Real Estate and Land
Acquisition for farming, Farm Tours, At-Risk-Youth with Green Careers, Tilling
Services, Music CDs, Health Classes), Get Growing Kansas City (CultivateKC.org,
KC Community Gardens, and Lincoln University) Adenike AmenRa (AmenRa ParAnkh- Urban
Farms, Wheatgrass, Food Preservation Classes)
Let's all take the next step in this movement. As other movements plan to come into the East
side of Kansas City, let’s make sure we continue to do the work to ensure that residents
have the healthy, locally grown food they need to be successful. Let's get these applications in, help others
submit them, pass them on to those who are willing to work for a healthier
city. This seed capital can help those
with tight budgets do something fun to help them feed themselves, support farm
businesses that can hire people, and help existing organizations get into the
"teach how to fish" side of feeding people.
Please forward this
information to the gardeners, farmers, and community leaders you know. I can provide technical assistance, group
presentations, and free workshops to assist in getting the applications
complete.
Thanks,
Sasteh Mosley
CEO of EMWOT (East Meets West of Troost), (816) 304-7240 and
Team Member Get Growing Kansas City (Zip Codes 64128 and
66104), (913) 279-1461
