Hi Friend,
Recent events, particularly the killings of Black men and women, including Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, bring to light the deep-rooted systemic racism present in our society.
Good Farmers Great Neighbors stands shoulder to shoulder in support of peaceful protests manifested by Black Lives Matter and other civil minded groups and individuals advocating for racial justice, police and prison reform.
North County is enriched by the multi-racial diversity and cultural backgrounds in our communities. Solvang, Buellton and Lompoc residents joined peaceful demonstrations last week, as marches and vigils united people from every walk of life across the country. United we can, and will, turn fears into faith, hope, compassion and action, accepting and carrying out our shared responsibility to our neighbors and county.
Together, local businesses and farmers have worked to address the challenge of an immediate and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic health crisis – protecting the health and safety of our community members.
To this end, earlier this year, local farmers and business leaders have committed to developing a partnership with the Food Bank of Santa Barbara County as a community builder to help the most vulnerable populations in the area – seniors, people of color and children.
Please consider donating to the
Food Bank of Santa Barbara County here.
Santa Barbara County has the 3rd highest rate of “Food Insecurity” in the state, especially in North County. Systemic poverty, hunger and racism are in part intertwined and we have a moral responsibility to lend a helping hand. So far these efforts have helped feed more than 2,000 families.
As we close, we’d like to share light with reflections from anti-apartheid leader and former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela and former First Lady, Michelle Obama.
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” – Nelson Mandela
“Race and racism is a reality that so many of us grow up learning to just deal with. But if we ever hope to move past it, it can’t just be on people of colour to deal with it. It’s up to all of us – Black, white, everyone – no matter how well-meaning we think we might be, to do the honest, uncomfortable work of rooting it out. It starts with self-examination and listening to those whose lives are different from our own. It ends with justice, compassion, and empathy that manifests in our lives and on our streets.” – Michelle Obama in a statement following the harrowing death of George Floyd
Thank you, as always, for being a great neighbor!
