Let’s judge our being one of the top cities in the world by how many people in our city are not helpless, how much of our population doesn’t need drastic help, and how many people have food within walking distance. If we could do that, I think we would be one of the top cities in the world.
Everything in life, it’s all a group project—nothing is done best completely and totally alone when there are outcomes that impact us all.
If the issue is money, then let’s figure out a way the city can split the cost with the people, or how both sides can benefit. If the city doesn’t have the money, then teach the people how to fix it so they can fix it themselves. Give them the tools. Then the city can save money, and it creates jobs.
I would love for the police budget to disintegrate. I would love for people to be fed every day. I would love for housing to be secure and affordable for everyone. Luxuries should be luxuries, and necessities should be available no matter what. I would love to get healthcare for myself and everybody who needs it.
One lesson from Market Box is how insufficient our existing systems of benefits are. Fifty percent of the people Market Box delivers to qualify for some form of aid—SNAP or Medicaid or Medicare—but 86% of the people we deliver to say that Market Box is very important to their household having enough food to eat.
The most transformative and creative spaces are green spaces in the city that are interpreted, designed, and used by the community. Urban farming hits all the points of environment, policy, food access, food justice, environmental justice, violence reduction, health and wellness, preserving culture, and making people feel welcome in a dense urban environment that can be difficult to navigate.