BOTHELL, Wash. — Western Washington organization Modest Family Solutions is cutting waste, supporting farmers, providing fresh foods for purchase to consumers and using the proceeds to promote education and give to those who need it.
On a cool day in November, volunteers gathered to smoke turkeys and prepare meals for purchase. The money would go to education about food sovereignty and to giving food to those who need it.
"People do these feel good donations once or twice a year when people need food every single day," Adasha Turner said. "When you're talking about food and food justice, [a self-sufficient model is] huge. A lot of this is capitalistic, so if you cannot afford, it, you cannot have it. But that does not mean that it's not needed."
Modest Family Solutions buys directly from local farmers and purchases or takes food stores can't or won't sell, for a number of reasons -- but that is still safe and good to eat. They sell to those who want to buy and support community, and then use the proceeds for the rest of their work.
"A social solidarity model where you buy one, and you give one; that's exactly what it is," Turner said. "You know where your money is going."
They also educate youth on growing and using their own food, putting power in the hands of the people.
"The call to action is really understanding where your food comes from," Turner said. "If you can support a local farmer, do it. If you can buy local do it. If you can't find it, look us up."
All of this is just part of their overall mission, which includes promoting food justice, creating sustainable food systems and increasing food security. The group said over the past year, they've fed nearly 4,000 households, including with halal meats and other needed foods.
"All of this food would have been garbage that's in front of you, and there's nothing wrong with it," Turner said. "And that's how we're contributing to zero waste."
To volunteer or buy food and help them continue their work, follow them on social media.