Food Apartheid and the Fight for Food Justice
Fri Feb 06 2026
In this episode of Better, host Mark Brand reflects on a powerful conversation with farmer, organizer, and food justice leader Karen Washington.
Together they unpack why “food deserts” is the wrong language for the right problem, and why Karen insists we call it what it is: food apartheid.
Mark and Madison explore what true leadership looks like, making complex issues accessible without watering them down, and how Karen’s decades of community organizing, urban farming, and movement-building have reshaped how we think about land, power, and who gets to eat well.
They dive into: Why food is never “just food,” but history, policy, dignity, and power How communities can build ecosystems of trust that don’t rely only on government. The role of youth and elders in driving change together What it takes to move from feeling overwhelmed to believing in and building universal access to food.
If you’ve ever wondered how to turn outrage into action, and how ordinary people can do extraordinary things for their communities, this episode is your invitation.
karenthefarmer.com
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In this episode of Better, host Mark Brand reflects on a powerful conversation with farmer, organizer, and food justice leader Karen Washington. Together they unpack why “food deserts” is the wrong language for the right problem, and why Karen insists we call it what it is: food apartheid. Mark and Madison explore what true leadership looks like, making complex issues accessible without watering them down, and how Karen’s decades of community organizing, urban farming, and movement-building have reshaped how we think about land, power, and who gets to eat well. They dive into: Why food is never “just food,” but history, policy, dignity, and power How communities can build ecosystems of trust that don’t rely only on government. The role of youth and elders in driving change together What it takes to move from feeling overwhelmed to believing in and building universal access to food. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn outrage into action, and how ordinary people can do extraordinary things for their communities, this episode is your invitation. karenthefarmer.com