Eric Holt-Gimenez presents us with a depiction of the problem of the food system. Instead of starting with the usual words of how the food system can be changed by doing X, Y, and Z. Holt-Gimenez seeks to let the reader into his point of view, which is that there are many underlying social, political, and economic problems that act as major barriers, and if these are not corrected, then it does not matter what changes we make to our food system because all of these changes will turn out to be minor.

Holt-Gimenez breaks down food racism as a major cause of injustice in the food system, and he highlights that in minority communities it is even harder to get fresh local produce. I particularly like how Holt-Gimenez seeks to include the counter argument of the topics and examples he presents. For example, when Holt-Gimenez talks about how people are challenged to confront many of the problems that they face in society; he notes that the food justice movement has begun to step up support (Holt-Gimenez, 2). In doing this, Holt-Gimenez provides the reader with examples and counter examples, which strengthen his ultimate point.

I really think that this article by Holt-Gimenez exemplifies what we have been learning and discussing here in D.C. about the food deserts and the lack of accessibility to fresh produce in minority communities here in the city. It also becomes increasing expensive to be able to purchase food in this city yet the money that is allocated to individuals on government assistance programs remains the same. This is where the crux of Holt-Gimenez’s argument takes form in saying that the government needs to start changes policies in order to help those in underrepresented communities, and if this does not happen then all of the efforts of many non-profit organizations that do great work on these issues will be very minor. Internally and structurally  this country needs to change because if laws and procedures continue to remain the same then parties who are provides help are ultimately just scraping the edge of the barrel.