Serving Food Not Bombs

Food Not Bombs is a loose knit group of independent collectives, all around the globe, that prepare and share free meals. They call attention to poverty and homelessness by providing free food in public places. The organization is all-inclusive, and all volunteer. There are no leaders.  Each chapter makes decisions, by consensus, based on the needs of their community.

Food Not Bombs began in the Boston, MA area in the 1980's.  A group of anti-nuclear activists drew attention to a nuclear power plant proposed in nearby Shoreham, NH.  Their slogan, ‘Money for food, not for bombs', was shortened to Food Not Bombs. When the activists learned there would be a meeting of the financiers of the power plant, they brought the words to life.  Collecting food that was normally wasted, they served a meal to 300 homeless people outside of the meeting place.  The action was so successful, they continued.  With every arrest, more chapters were formed.

Even today, most of the food served is surplus from markets, grocery stores, bakeries - food that would otherwise be thrown away.  During the 1990's, Food Not Bombs organized four international gatherings.  Today there are approximately 400 chapters.  Half are in the U.S., half are world-wide.

Food Not Bombs is a fast growing revolutionary movement, gaining momentum around the world. Members strive to end hunger, stop globalization, end restriction of movement of all people, stop militarization, and promote well-being of the Earth.