How Food Elitism Harms People and Organizations: A Mother’s Day Wake-Up Call
The Food as Medicine movement is gaining momentum, which is exciting—but there’s an uncomfortable truth we need to face. When we glorify certain foods while shaming others, we’re leaving most people behind. This narrative often caters to the wealthiest 1%, ignoring the millions struggling with food access and equity. Without addressing barriers to food equity, the mission to make food a true form of medicine will fall short.
Here’s the stark reality: most people around the world live on less than $7 a day. In the U.S., over 65% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. That’s a massive disconnect between elitist narratives we encounter and the financial struggles so many endure.
I was reminded of this gap during a recent conversation with Jill Price on The Food Dignity Podcast. Jill is a friend and a single mom I used to meet for playdates. Back then, I had no idea she was battling food insecurity. I didn’t know she lived in food fear. During our conversation, she opened up about how the constant stress of hunger had taken over her life. Feeding her son was her top priority, but every meal came with worry—would there be enough for tomorrow? The fear, she said, was a constant hum, and she worried her son could feel it too.
For those facing food insecurity, choices aren’t about trends. They’re about survival and getting through the day. And if we’re serious about change, we need to recognize this reality. We need to understand the barriers people face when accessing food—the kind of food we advocate for so passionately.
Without that understanding, our systems and programs will fail. Real change happens when everyone—not just the privileged 1%—has access to better food and better opportunities.
On this Mother’s Day, let’s commit to building a better, more inclusive world. Let’s advocate for change without shaming the food most people eat. It’s not easy, but it’s the only way forward. Every family deserves access to the nourishment they need—no exceptions. Food equity must be the cornerstone of food programs.
Ready to join me? Here’s how you can get involved:
Share your story or truth by emailing me at Clancy@ClancyHarrison.com. I am willing to share stories anonymously, if needed.
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Let’s honor the people who need our voice and let’s get loud together. —Thank You!
*Disclosure: I don’t have any financial bias. I’ve never taken a penny from The Food Dignity Movement, the nonprofit I started in 2020, or from my speaking platform. I’ve been a volunteer for 16 years, and any profit from my speaking career either helps cover nonprofit expenses or gets donated back to it. I’ve built a platform where I can speak honestly without fear, amplify others’ voices, and steer clear of political games. I’ll never sell out, and I’ll always stick to the hard truth.