13 is considered an unlucky number, but 2013 brought great
accomplishments for the Chicago Oxfam Action Corps. The continued growth and
success in various campaigns displays the importance of unity behind an important
message and general resilience that brings success.
We introduced the Behind the Brands campaign internationally
beginning February 2013. Our first goal aimed towards Nestle, Mondalez and Mars,
would help women cocoa farmers receive more pay. Our group headed to Mondalez
headquarters located in Deerfield, IL dealing with a blizzard to produce a
display to show corporations that they do have a responsibility to the global
food system and to people. We as consumers expect corporate ethical
responsibility. We followed with campaigning on International Women’s Day in
Millenium Park and again in April around Easter. After Nestle and Mars,
Mondalez finally agreed to the U.N. Women’s Principles, therefore, raising
wages from $4 to $7. Given the low pay and discrimination women receive as
cocoa farmers, this took great measures to balance the economic distribution.
Women world-wide often provide for large families as sole breadwinners. A
little more money goes a long way to help for more food, education for children
and medicine.
Immediately upon the win with Mondalez, Mars and Nestle
companies, we switched gears to focus on food aid reform. Current legislation
remains outdated in efforts to support slower modes of transportation
industries, resulting in delayed delivery of food to places in dire need. This
legislation requires that food for food aid must come from the U.S., must be
transported cross country via train and then internationally by ship. The
Chicago Oxfam Action Corps Organizer team, with Adam Olson and representatives
from allies completed a total of eight visits with Illinois Senators and House
Representatives. Each caused impaction, each had a different response.
Unfortunately, like many general industry amendments, food aid is packaged into
the Farm Bill. Passage of the farm bill often expands out over a year or two
years because of the number of amendments and major reforms stuck into the
bill. By June 2013, the amendment for food aid reached the floor and
unfortunately lost by less than ten votes. As a whole, we came so close but yet
it felt so far. This allowed us to revamp our campaign nationally in
anticipation for the next round of the Farm Bill.
Back to Behind the Brands, the next campaign encouraged General
Mills to become more transparent with their business practices. Our presence at
Lollapalooza marketed to over 150,000 guests. Our team of twelve people
accomplished obtaining over 1000 signatures, the first non-staffed Action Corps
event to do so. General Mills signed on within a month of the beginning of our
international campaign. After this win, we targeted PepsiCo, Associated British
Foods and Coca-Cola Co to ensure the sugar they buy does not come from or
contribute to land grabs. We introduced this cycle of BtB at an Atoms for Peace
concert at UIC Pavilion. Since then, Coca-Cola has signed on to a
zero-tolerance policy for land grabs. In order to persuade PepsiCo, our Action
Corps volunteers, along with Action Corps volunteers across the United States
visited PepsiCo sites to deliver petitions and leverage photo opportunities. We
currently continue to focus on PepsiCo to stop land grabs.
Unfortunately, inclement tumultuous weather brought the Philippines
to the center of international stage. Typhoon Haiyan ripped through, leaving
destruction and many survivors in need of food, water, and shelter. Oxfam teams
prepared for and jumped in to aid the people of the Philippines. Unfortunately,
this case again shows the need for reform in food aid legislation. Oxfam
America helped Dr. Juanita Salvador-Burris start a change.org petition to focus on the Philippines. It asks
Congress to pass an exemption on food aid legislation to efficiently deliver
food to where it is needed most in such a desperate time. Within a month, the
signatures increased by ten times to 40,000 signatures. Our goal is 75,000 and
we will continue focusing on food aid reform!
The following is a list of events we have hosted and
attended. We cannot express our great gratitude to our volunteers who stay
dedicated and who take action to Right the Wrong!
Events (in no particular order)
- Green Festival
- World Fair Trade Day
- Sweet Justice
- Greater Chicago Food Depository Hunger Walk
- Slow Food Chicago preSERVE Garden Workday
- Glenwood Farmer’s Market
- Kankakee Farmer’s Market
- Pilsen Farmer’s Market
- Logan Square Farmer’s Market
- Latino Fashion Show
- Lollapalooza
- World Food Day Dinner, 8th Day Center for Justice
- World Food Day Dinner, Cuisine of India
- Teach-In Presentation on GROW Method
- Frontiers of Food Justice
- Hunger Banquet at North Central College
- ONE Campaign- Year of One Event
- ONE Campaign-Oxfam Happy Hour Meeting
- Chicago Fair Trade Global Fest Africa
- Great Lakes Bioneers Conference
- Surge for Water Waterfalls Fundraiser
- Slow Food Chicago Holiday Bash
- Hot Chocolate Run to raise money for Syrian Refugee Crisis
- Atoms for Peace
- Fitz and the Tantrums
- Arctic Monkeys
- Thao and the Get Down Stay Down
With the same fervor of 2013 to make progress in the fight
against poverty, hunger and injustice, we are planning a few major events to
engage the Chicagoland on a global platform. Everyone can do something to Right
the Wrong. Get involved using your skills to make a better global food system
for everyone.
@chiOXFAMaction
chicago.oxfamactioncorps@gmail.com
-Megan Nakra
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