A Call for Commitment to Ethical Eating

Here are some highlights from Susan Daiss' sermon on 5/24/09.

Susan begins by referencing an issue that was presented and passed at the General Assembly in 2008:

The following is a portion of the CSAI—Ethical Eating: Food and Environmental Justice for 2008–2012 Issue which can be accessed on the following website - http://www.uua.org/socialjustice/issuesprocess/currentissues/ethicaleating/55648.shtml
Delegates at the 2008 General Assembly in Fort Lauderdale, FL, selected "Ethical Eating" to be the 2008-2012 Congregational Study/Action Issue (CSAI) of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations.
The Congregational Study/Action Issue is an invitation for congregations and districts to take a topic of concern and confront it, reflect on it, learn about it, respond to it, comment on it take action—each in their own way. A CSAI is NOT a statement—it is a question.

Issue
Religious organizations throughout the world have discussed the production, distribution, and use of food. Some people enjoy many food choices while others remain hungry. The food industry produces wealth, but small farmers and farm workers are often poor. Food production and transportation contribute to many environmental problems.
Background and Reasons for Study
Congregations can develop effective strategies to address two of the world's biggest problems: social inequality and environmental destruction. This Congregational Study/Action Issue is inspired by the work of the several Unitarian Universalist (UU) affiliate and associate organizations that work with congregations in support of environmental justice.
Hunger is both a community problem and an international problem that can be approached in a variety of ways. There is a need for political advocacy in support of government programs that try to feed the hungry. There is a need also for involvement with service programs that deliver food to individuals and families - for example, Meals on Wheels programs.

Possible Actions
Support sustainable agriculture and farmers' markets. Encourage organic community gardening.
Volunteer in support of community food pantries, Meals on Wheels programs, and similar projects that address the problem of hunger.
Become an advocate for social and economic justice. Support labor unions, farmers' cooperatives, "fair trade" associations, and other organizations that help the farmers and other workers who produce and distribute food in the global market.

Unitarian Universalists have a vision of environmental justice. One of our principles acknowledges "the interdependent web." Others affirm the importance of human rights. Together our principles form one holistic statement that helps to define liberal religion.

Susan continues:
-there is nothing more basic to human survival than eating, the air we breath, and the water we drink.
-We are among the privileged 20% of people on the planet who have ease in finding any kind of food we want when we want. This same 20% of people are utilizing 67% of the planet's resources.
-As UU's the question becomes, 'how do we put our theology where our mouth is'?
-Ethical eating has been proven to be within the reach of even those in the lower income brackets, but we have to do so creatively.
-UU's cite Principle #7 as our contribution to the ethical eating dilemna, and here is the Principle - We believe in the ethical application of religion. Good works are the natural product of a good faith, the evidence of an inner grace that finds completion in social and community involvement.
-Here are some suggestions for mindful eating:
1). When you eat a piece of bread, see it as the privilege that it is.
2). The next time you share a meal with someone you love, be mindful of that dinner from beginning to end and regard it as the miracle that it is.
3). Pause with gratitude before we eat a single grain of rice.
4). Make a commitment to each other to share and embrace ethical eating.
5). Ask the question of ourselves and each other 'what is ethical eating?'.
6). Make ethical eating part of our daily lives.
7). Vow to begin to put our theology where our mouth is.
You are invited to share your thoughts on how you practice ethical and mindful eating! Have you joined an organic co-op? Do you plant a garden? What are your thoughts.