Food organizer Anim Steel asks us to imagine a dark holding cell in Ghana and the iron gate through which millions of slaves passed before being forced into the hold of a waiting ship. The gate represents an entry point on a centuries-long agricultural path, which began with plantation labor abuse and has brought us to the current unhealthy, centralized industrial model largely controlled by a handful monopolistic corporations. His Real Food Challenge represents a doorway for a food movement that leverages university food budgets in service of a fair and healthy food system. It has resulted in tens of millions of dollars in commitments to provide fair and fortifying food, and it is student-driven.

This speech was given at the 2011 Bioneers National Conference and is part of the Food Justice Vol. 1 Collection.