Our Mamas Were Absolutely Right!

Veronica Mount
3 days ago
2 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

This video clip featuring D.L. Hughley reminds me of the proactive measures taken by the African American communities to combat food insecurity long before the establishment of the first official food bank in America in 1967. Food was produced locally and neighbors shared whatever food they had with one another. I recall my mother often instructing me to take our surplus food to our neighbors, though at the time, I was too young to grasp the significance.

Growing up in rural Arkansas, we cultivated our own food and raised pigs and chickens to sustain our household. Preserving our food and meal planning were regular activities in our home. It was hard work, and I didn’t fully appreciate it back then. But we were truly blessed to have food in our refrigerator and deep freezers. We didn't experience food recalls, and our practice of sharing food helped keep food insecurity at bay. Fast food was virtually nonexistent, and trips to the grocery store were infrequent. Now I realize that we had 24/7 access to nutritious food. Unfortunately, too many Americans, live in food deserts today, with limited or no access to fresh food. Today fruits and vegetables are so expensive, many can’t afford it.

When I turned about ten years old, we relocated from rural Arkansas to the capital city of Little Rock. By this time, my parents had the financial means to abandon these practices, yet they chose not to. We continued to grow our own food in our backyard, shared food with neighbors, volunteered at church food pantries, and established community gardens. My daughter has grown her own food and is currently buying meat in bulk, just like D.L. Hughley’s daughter. Kudos to the next generation!

Time has proven that our mamas were absolutely right. They grew, gathered, processed, preserved, transported, and prepared nourishing food to support our bodies and minds, with limited resources. Without experiencing ongoing food recalls or continuous foodborne illnesses caused by consuming unsafe food. Perhaps it's worth investing in a deep freezer. Thank you, D.L. Hughley!