Juneteenth and Food Justice: What’s the Connection?

Juneteenth and Food Justice: What’s the Connection?

For those wondering how to celebrate the upcoming new federal holiday Juneteenth (June 19), the Food Justice Team has the following suggestions.

In a recent edition of Code Switch, a podcast focused on “fearless conversations about race,” hosts Karen Grigsby Bates and Gene Demby discuss Black foodways and how Juneteenth provides a way to celebrate those foods in an episode titled “A Taste of Freedom.” You can listen to the podcast or read the transcript of it here . 

Part of that episode references favorite Black cookbooks, which blend recipes with memoirs and African American history. You can read about some of these beloved Black cookbooks for Juneteenth here 

Finally, the Food Justice Team highly recommends the recent Netflix 4-part series High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America. Food writer Stephen Satterfield hosts the program that traces the origins and history of African American cuisine, making current connections with Black chefs, historians, and foodies, and reminding us that Black food is American food. Watch on Netflix or learn more at https://www.netflix.com/title/81034518. 

Questions or interested in connecting with Food Justice? Email foodjustice@uuaa.org. 

(https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1006735929#:~:text=A%20Taste%20Of%20Freedom%20%3A%20Code%20Switch%20%3A%20NPR&text=A%20Taste%20Of%20Freedom%20%3A%20Code%20Switch%20Juneteenth%20commemorates%20the%20day,celebratory%20meals%20and%20red%20drinks)

https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1006735929#:~:text=A%20Taste%20Of%20Freedom%20%3A%20Code%20Switch%20%3A%20NPR&text=A%20Taste%20Of%20Freedom%20%3A%20Code%20Switch%20Juneteenth%20commemorates%20the%20day,celebratory%20meals%20and%20red%20drinks.