The Food Justice Project (FJP) believes everyone should have access to affordable, nourishing, culturally important food within sovereign food systems. We advance these goals on the UC Berkeley campus by supporting students as they navigate the CalFresh application and appeals process when their benefits are denied or disrupted. We also advocate for policy changes to combat food insecurity for UC Berkeley students and educate ourselves on broader food justice work, particularly as it relates to economic, environmental, and racial justice.
With the understanding that hunger on college campuses is a serious and preventable problem, the Food Justice Project serves UC Berkeley students who have been denied CalFresh benefits or whose benefits have been discontinued. Members will perform client intake interviews on behalf of Bay Area Legal Aid and meet with our supervising attorney to determine how to advise the client on beginning or restoring their benefits. We partner closely with the Basic Needs Center to reach more students and to connect them with resources while they advocate for their benefits.
The Food Justice Project is committed to educating its members about a range of issues within food justice and how it relates to economic, environmental, and racial justice. In addition to helping provide direct services, members will also complete research projects on topics like access to benefits for college students. Members will hear from practitioners who advance food justice and have a chance to draft legal research memos on issues related to food and agriculture.
We welcome students who are interested in food, environmental justice, social services, labor law, and more. Food justice is for everyone!
Supervision: Students in FJP provide legal services under the supervision of attorneys at Bay Area Legal Aid.
Time Commitment: Approximately 16-20 hours per semester (2 hours a week).
For more information, please contact the student leaders at foodjustice@berkeley.edu and visit http://foodjusticeberkeleylaw.com/.