The way food is produced, distributed and wasted has a profound impact on both the environment and public health. Industrial agriculture – dominated by large-scale monoculture farms and corporate supply chains – contributes to deforestation, excessive water use, and greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, food waste exacerbates climate change, as decomposing food releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
For many African American communities, these issues are compounded by systemic inequalities, including the loss of Black farmland, the prevalence of food deserts, and the disproportionate environmental burden placed on marginalized neighborhoods. Addressing these challenges requires recognizing the deep intersections between food, climate and racial justice.
Case study: Food deserts and climate impact in Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland, is home to a large African American population, yet many of its Black-majority neighborhoods lack access to fresh and affordable food. According to a Johns Hopkins University study, nearly 25% of the city’s residents live in food deserts, with Black communities disproportionately affected. The absence of grocery stores forces residents to travel long distances for fresh food or rely on processed, packaged options from corner stores and fast-food chains.
This lack of access not only leads to health disparities, such as higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, but also contributes to climate change. Packaged and processed foods require more energy to produce, transport, and dispose of, generating a higher carbon footprint than locally sourced, fresh food. Additionally, the overreliance on car travel for grocery shopping in food deserts further increases greenhouse gas emissions.
The loss of Black farmland and sustainable agriculture
Historically, Black farmers played a significant role in sustainable agriculture, practicing land stewardship techniques that protected soil, conserved water, and minimized environmental impact. However, due to decades of discriminatory policies, Black farmers have lost an overwhelming amount of land.
Example: Pigford v. Glickman Lawsuit: The Pigford v. Glickman case, a landmark 1999 lawsuit, highlighted how the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) systematically denied Black farmers access to loans and support programs, leading to massive land loss. As a result, the number of Black-owned farms plummeted, with Black farmers currently owning less than 2% of U.S. farmland – down from 14% in 1920. This displacement not only deepened economic disparities but also reduced the presence of small-scale, environmentally sustainable farms that historically practiced crop rotation, organic farming, and soil conservation.
Restoring Black land ownership and investing in Black-led agricultural initiatives can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of food production. Community farms and cooperatives provide fresh, locally grown produce, reduce reliance on industrial supply chains, and promote regenerative farming practices that help combat climate change.
Food waste in Black communities: An overlooked environmental issue
Food waste is another major contributor to climate change. In the U.S., up to 40% of food produced is wasted, generating massive amounts of methane as it decomposes in landfills. African American communities face unique challenges in addressing food waste, largely due to infrastructure disparities.
Example: The Absence of Food Recovery Programs: Many predominantly Black neighborhoods lack food recovery programs that redistribute unsold grocery items to families in need. While organizations like Food Rescue US and Feeding America have national food recovery networks, they are often under-resourced in Black communities. Cities like New Orleans and Atlanta, which have large Black populations, are working to expand food rescue programs, but more investment is needed to ensure that food waste reduction benefits all communities equally.
Community-Based Solutions examples: The Role of Mutual Aid Networks Despite these challenges, Black-led mutual aid networks and grassroots organizations are stepping up to tackle food waste.
- The Black Church Food Security Network partners with Black farmers and congregations to redistribute surplus food to families in need.
- Soil Generation in Philadelphia works to reduce food waste through composting initiatives while promoting urban agriculture.
By supporting these initiatives, communities can address both food insecurity and environmental sustainability, reducing food waste and lowering methane emissions. Stay tuned for more about climate justice in May, when “Climate Gentrification” will be discussed.