Soul Vegetarian Restaurant creates Feed the People Program campaign for 350's Oct. 24 International Day of Climate Action

This is dated but we feel we need to salute one of our local restaurants for their efforts. This article appeared in Chicago Now.

On Saturday, Oct. 24, at 1 p.m., the Feed the People Program campaign will be visiting Higgins Grammar School on 11710 S. Morgan St., on Chicago's South Side. The purpose of the event is threefold--to promote veganism by distributing free, hot vegan meals; to encourage anti-violence from dietary consumption; and to bring awareness to the environmental crisis. October 24 is also 350.org's International Day of Climate Action, with 181 countries creating 4,500 events bringing environmental awareness.

The South Side Chicago campaign with Soul Vegetarian Restaurant was created by Zarakyah Ben Ahmadiel, Chairman of RBG (Red, Black, Green) Environmental Restoration Agency, with the help of Soul Vegetarian Restaurant and the Office of Environmental Affairs for the African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem. Soul Vegetarian Restaurant is located at 205 E. 75th St.

Special appearances and performances include GOOD Music's Grammy Award winning artists Malik Yusef and J. Ivy, Chicago emcee Mikkey Halsted, music by Soul Selector DJ Lee Farmer and other poets, singers and music professionals. Ahmadiel and Fred Hampton Jr., the Chairman of Prisoners of Consciousness Committee, will be at the location supporting veganism, but there will be no speeches.

"The event is designed so as not to be imposing," Ahmadiel said. "We don't want people to think they have to come and listen to me talk to eat. But the beautiful thing about black people and food is conversations ensue nonetheless."

The Feed the People Program campaign also plans to promote anti-violence through dietary behavior and is purposely being held at Higgins Grammar School, only one mile from Fenger High School where recently murdered Chicago student Derrion Albert attended.

"There are a number of connections between veganism and diet with adverse behaviors," Ahmadiel said. "One very under-reported aspect of the environmental crisis, whether it be resource scarcity or global warming, is the deterioration of the system on the Earth in these communities. Many studies have shown that it is usually low-income, people of color, whether it be in Chicago, Brazil, Darfur, that are the first to feel the effects of our resource scarcity. Poverty comes out of the largest sense of capitalism--less to consume, less to distribute, and those who are already poor are left to hopelessness and helplessness and recklessness, and that cycle descends further down to our children who act that behavior out."

According to the United States Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Services, "research shows that students who eat breakfast at school have increased standardized achievement test scores, improved attendance and reduced tardiness. Other research shows that students who eat breakfast have improved academic, behavioral and emotional functioning."

These NSLP lunches and SBP breakfasts meet the national nutrition standards and comply with the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These meals include vegan items, such as grains like rice, potato soup, wheat toast and oatmeal; fruits like apples, pears and peaches; juices like grapefruit juice and orange juice; and vegetables like green beans and baby carrots.

The Feed the People Program campaign will offer the BBQ delight made out of wheat flower, collard greens, vegetarian macaroni cheese made with soy cheese, vegetarian lasagna, raw kale salad, bean curd salad, BBQ tofu, veggie burgers and jerk wraps.

And for those who want to take their diet a step further with veganism, students and parents, South Side vegetarian restaurants Soul Vegetarian Restaurant, Quench and Vegetarian Life sell vegetarian and vegan meals. Vegetarian food is also prepackaged in various whole food stores and neighborhood locations like Southtown Health Foods located at 2100 W. 95th St., and Elnora's Health Unlimited located at 10844 S. Halsted St.

"We'll soon be available in Jewel, the whole chain of Jewel Osco stores," Ahmadiel said. "But the thing about vegetarianism is you don't have to go out of your scope. If you just cut back on meat, you automatically have a vegetarian meal. [The Feed the People Program] will give me the opportunity to introduce the conversation to some of the people who aren't accustomed to it. I'll be able to direct them to immediate resources."

The Feed the People Program campaign is funded by the RBG Environmental Restoration Agency and will last approximately two to three hours.