“Mom, I’m hungry, and there’s nothing to eat!” my 10 year old wailed while staring into a well-stocked refrigerator. The fact that we had plenty of food hardly registered when his favorite snacks weren’t available.
Kids know the feeling of hunger but may not be aware of what it means to lack secure access to healthy food choices. Some live in neighborhoods with well-stocked grocery stores. Others reside in urban ‘food deserts’ or rural areas where quick marts are more the norm. Many live in households strapped for cash, particularly at the end of a pay period. Even if they qualify for public assistance, they may not get to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables as often as they would like.
Invite children to reflect on the social justice theme of ‘food insecurity’ with this guided meditation recording, or listen to the recording yourself and then use the transcript to guide children in the practice.
Transcript
Find a comfortable place to sit and close your eyes. (pause)
Take a deep breath (pause) and let it out. (pause)
Deep breath in (pause) and let it out. (pause)
Once more, breathe in (pause) and let it out. (pause)
Imagine that you are working at a local urban garden. (pause) First you pull weeds in a patch of carrots. (pause) Then you rake the ground around the tomato plants. (pause) Finally, you help pick green beans. (pause) As your basket fills up, you wonder who will get to eat them. (pause)
A family arrives to pick up a bag of vegetables. (pause) You ask if they live nearby. (pause) They tell you they took two buses to get here. (pause) You wonder why they had to come so far to get fresh groceries. (pause)
The kids start jumping up and down. (pause) “Stir fry for dinner!” they yell (pause) They tell you they usually have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. (pause) You wonder why they have to eat sandwiches for dinner. (pause) You think about what is usually on your dinner table. (pause)
Take a deep breath (pause) and let it out. (pause)
Open your eyes when you are ready.
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