As CSA Program Manager at Just Food, Paula Lukats realizes that being able to buy and eat healthy food is something that affects all New Yorkers-but that some of us find more challenging than others. Here she talks about what "food justice" means and how you can get involved in the New York City movement to make sure good food is available for all!

Q: What is your definition of "food justice"?

A: Food justice is having some control over getting healthy, fresh vegetables and fruits in an affordable and culturally-appropriate way. It's working together so that everybody has the same chance to get fresh food. While we work hard to get affordable, healthy, fresh produce into communities here in New York City, we also work to make sure that our farms are getting the market support they need to stay in business. CSA, as well as our other programs, can help farmers to develop markets they can count on to help them make their farms more stable, not just now, but for the future.

Q: How does Just Food reach out to "food deserts" and address the problems people have in being able to get healthy food?

A: I think all our programs have that as a goal. Just Food tries to make it easier for everybody to have good food, especially in communities that don't have it. The Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program is an unusual way to get food, but it's also an easy way. You don't need a store or paid staff. You only need a place to use for a few hours once a week to give out the vegetables that are delivered from the farmer. That's why we use parks, schools, churches, and community gardens. Just Food also encourages people to be comfortable with growing their own food in their backyard. Also, we teach valuable skills about cooking food, and then preserving it by canning or some other method, so you have fresh food in the winter when nothing local is available. Just Food also helps low-income communities start and run farmer's markets in areas that rarely have them. The City Farms markets are actually run by community gardeners, who grow more food than they need, and want to share with their community. It's a real community-driven effort to help people get good quality fresh food.

Q: How can someone get involved in the food justice movement?

A: There's a lot going on in the city, and in Harlem that focuses on helping people be able to get healthy food. The best way to get involved is by having an active voice about food access and better, healthier choices. You can encourage your city council people to consider the need for healthy food in all New York City boroughs.  You could also attend Just Food workshops and events to learn more about bringing food justice to your community. Whatever your interests, there's probably something that we could help you learn about and take back to your neighborhood. And, all of our workshops and educational opportunities are free and open to the public.

Read more from Paula Lukats by clicking the links below:

• Just Food
• Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
• CSA sites in Harlem
• How to join a CSA
• CSA cooking classes

To listen to our interview with Paula Lukats, click here for our podcast page.

Harlem Word is a series of interviews with community health experts written by HHPC and reviewed by our Health Advisory Board.