In the past I ranted on the inefficiencies of non-profit organizations. Today I encountered a situation that reminded me of this “do-good polemic.” When I realized we do not have unlimited funds and certain choices must be made.
The “healthy eating and meal planning” classes are new; they are my first food project. In the last month or so I have begun other, related projects that spur from the general goals of food accessibility and education. The current cooking class I am teaching through SUN Community Schools has a budget. Compared to the goals of the class, one could say that our budget is too small. But I have a strong desire to prove such cynicism incorrect.
The cost of the class is mostly divided between my wages and the cooking ingredients. As a licensed teacher who has put a large amount of time and energy into the class, I believe I deserve a decent wage. But I am willing to receive less pay if it means the classes can continue. Like many other not-for-profit-minded folk, I am driven by the cause and not the pay. Sometimes this is a good thing and sometimes not. In this particular scenario I am a bit stuck on what to do. Let me explain the problem,
The food budget for the 4-week class is roughly $225. This amount of money feeds 7 families of 4 for the entire session. This comes out to about $8 per week per family. Each week’s meal includes a combination of whole foods, grains and/or packaged goods (i.e. chicken stock and soy sauce.)
Now here’s the dilemma – do we buy groceries at the local Alberta food cooperative where all the ingredients will be organic, some will be sourced from regional farms and the money supports an independent business in the community?
OR
Do we buy groceries from a Winco or Safeway (or other similar corporate business) because these stores are in the neighborhood of the participating families?
On the one hand, Winco and Safeway are in close proximity to the families, the costs are likely to be cheaper and we can probably buy their “organic brand.” The ingredients we need are sold at these establishments, but the socio-political-environmental implications of these establishments are completely contradictory to the ideas taught in the class. If we buy food at the coop, we are paying a higher price from a store that is not near the families, nor would they likely shop there regularly.
Do I sacrifice the integrity of the class because of slightly higher food costs?
Or do I lower my wages so that we can afford to maintain the integrity of the class?
This is one of those moments where I really value other people’s insight and opinion. Normally I have a solution but this is complicated and reflects deeper issues of privilege and class, etc. For all you readers out there, please share your thoughts on this. Your ideas would mean a lot to me, and I also believe this issue is important for anyone interested in food equity and social justice.
Related posts:
- Cooking Class Takes New Direction
- A Successful Cooking Class
- The Food Curriculum Project (part II) “The Menu”
- Session 1 Complete!
- Critical Food Literacy and a Sustainable Food Movement
Tags: education, Food Politics, portland
I say make the sacrifice and explain why you are so passionate that the co-op was the right decision.
Hi there,
Just checking your blog out for the first time as a mutual friend referred me to your site. First off, let me say that I appreciate your work and your voice resonates with me deeply. I, as well as many Americans, are in the same boat when it comes to the decisions we make every day concerning where our food comes from. It sure IS conflicting and also down right frustrating that we must compromise our family’s health because of the all mighty dollar. I agree with Dana, and in fact just seconds into reading your post, heard the words “sounds like a conversation to have”. This may indeed be a powerful and intended moment to bring to light the many decisions we must evaluate when our family’s health is concerned. Bring the knowledge to the people and rally them together to be forward-thinking and empower them to, at the very least, be conscious of the current situation and what it means to “vote” with their dollar. It is similar in the way that when someone decides to quite smoking, one of the powerful motivators for many is in understanding the sinister functioning’s of the tobacco companies. The only way we are going to get people to change the way they eat is to expose the realities to them, while simultaneously inspiring them to be conscious eaters. You have the power to inspire, use it brother!