Columbia County Sanctuary Movement's Comida Para la Gente Program: Building a Just Food System
The Spark of Hudson is proud to announce its support of the Columbia County Sanctuary Movement (CCSM)’s groundbreaking food justice program, Comida Para la Gente (Food for the People). As an organization dedicated to supporting and empowering immigrant communities, CCSM has made significant strides in addressing food insecurity and creating a more just food system in Columbia County.
Launched in 2020, Comida Para La Gente was a response to the increase in food insecurity during the pandemic. In the same year the West Taghkanic Diner and Wally Farms launched a mutual aid program which contributed to Comida Para La Gente and served a broader community. In 2022, with a substantial commitment from the Eutopia Foundation in partnership with The Spark of Hudson, the West Taghkanic Diner's program was integrated within CCSM's to create one of the most substantial BIPOC and immigrant-led food initiatives in the region. This program received the prestigious 2023 Community Food Funders Champions Award.
CCSM has been at the forefront of addressing the pressing needs of asylum seekers and immigrants in the Hudson Valley region. As the lead organization responding to the busing of Asylum Seekers to Albany, NY, CCSM has been providing weekly food drops to hotels, ensuring access to nourishing meals. Additionally, Comida Para La Gente has continued to be a sustaining contributor to Columbia County's network of community free fridges, through providing weekly meals and grocery stock ups.
CCSM's Comida Para la Gente program is a testament to their dedication to community empowerment and social justice. Through intentional collaboration with partners like Sweet Freedom Farm, who hosted a member-led fall garlic planting, Sovereign Herbs, who provides cultural organization has implemented powerful programming that combines community organizing with meaningful mutual aid efforts. CCSM's Comida Para La Gente programming emphasizes local, fresh, nutrient dense produce. It benefits from the abundance of the Hudson Valley and has deep relationships with local farms, farmers, and other food justice organizations like Long Table Harvest, who donates weekly. Through these relationships, BIPOC and immigrant farm workers are actively involved in growing, preparing, delivering, and serving food that they and their communities have historically been denied access to.
To date, Comida Para La Gente has distributed over 500,000 pounds of food and is currently providing 225 free, fresh, and culturally relevant prepared meals every week, making it the largest mutual aid food distributor in the region outside of the Regional Foodbank. This program also distributes 7,000 pounds of groceries weekly, approximately 2,000 lbs of which go to Asylum Seekers in Albany.
In recognition of their impactful food justice program, CCSM has recently been named the winner of the 2023 Community Food Funders Champions Award. This prestigious award celebrates CCSM's outstanding efforts in supporting immigrant communities and advancing a more equitable and just food system. The selection committee acknowledged CCSM's organizing model, which engages their community members directly in their work, fostering empowerment and resilience among immigrant communities in rural New York.
The Eutopia Foundation, recognizing the importance of nesting mutual aid initiatives within the community, has made a significant commitment to support CCSM's Comida Para la Gente program for its first three years. This substantial contribution ensures the continued success and expansion of this vital initiative, allowing CCSM to reach even more individuals facing food insecurity and promote sustainable change in the local food system. Nesting these initiatives within CCSM provides a strong foundation and the necessary infrastructure to maximize their impact.
Susan Danziger, founder of The Spark of Hudson, expressed her support for this program, stating, "By nesting these initiatives within established organizations like CCSM, we create a sustainable and collaborative approach to addressing food insecurity and promoting social equity. It is through community partnerships and support that we can make a lasting impact."
As CCSM continues its vital work in addressing food insecurity and advocating for social justice, we invite you to support their efforts. Sign up for CCSM's mailing list to stay informed about their initiatives and learn how you can contribute to their cause. Follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @CCSMNY to stay connected and spread the word about their important work.