Reykjavík Grapevine - 23.05.2008, Blaðsíða 45

“We give away food for various reasons, for one
it’s a direct stab at the wastefulness of modern
society”, says local activist Sigurður Harðarson,
a member of the group Food not Private Jets. Ev-
ery Saturday at 14:00 this summer they serve hot
vegetarian or vegan food to anyone requesting
at Lækjartorg in the centre of town. The group is
based on the Food not Bombs ideology.
The Food not Bombs saga started in Cam-
bridge, USA, in the early eighties where anti-war
activists handed out food to homeless people in
order to draw attention to homelessness and pov-
erty. The initiative has sprouted over 400 other
groups around the world, all-working along the
same guidelines. Each group adheres to the same
basic principles, but is free to adjust its work to the
needs of its local community.
Generally, the Food not Bombs ideology
can be divided into three statements:
1. If corporations and governments spent as much
time and energy on feeding people as military ex-
penditures, no one would go hungry.
2. There is enough food in the world to feed every-
one, but waste as a by-product of capitalism and
militarism ensures that people go hungry.
3. By sharing food in public places, Food not
Bombs draws attention to poverty and homeless-
ness, thereby bringing it into the public eye.

“This is also a lesson to our fellow citizens that it is
ok to give. In a society were everything is for sale,
that’s a valuable lesson to learn”, says Sigurður. The
group gets food donated from stores and individu-
als, food that otherwise would have been thrown
away. So far the group has given away meals for 3
consecutive Saturdays and the response has been
positive. Over 50 people received a meal the first
time, and a lot of curious people stopped by.
“Although not many people are starving
in Iceland, say compared to India, poverty ex-
ists here and it is hidden. We want to expose the
problem, start a debate, and hopefully, encour-
age others to do the same. This is also a symbolic
act”, states Sigurður. In fact, various organisations
around the city provide food donations and shel-
ter for homeless and poverty stricken people.
Those organisations work behind closed doors
and seldom, if ever, advertise their work. On the
contrary, the Food not Private-Jets group aims at
as much exposure as possible by working in the
public arena.
“We will continue as long as we have the
means and energy. Hopefully other people will
join and help us along”. So if you’d like to help, or
just to eat a healthy free meal, stop by at Lækjar-
torg at 14:00 each Saturday.
Text by Páll Hilmarsson
Photos by GAS
Food not Private-Jets
Article | Reykjavík Grapevine | Issue 06 2008 | B13
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“Although not many
people are starving in
Iceland, say compared to
India, poverty exists here
and it is hidden. We want
to expose the problem.”
Tryggvagata 17
101 Reykjavík
Tel: 411 9000
www.velferdarsvid.is
The department of welfare gives information and advice about social entitlements and pro-
vides support in cases of social or personal problems for registered residents in Reykjavik.
For general information about operations in the City of Reykjavik and additional information
on e.g. specific housing benefits, pre-school applications or financial aid, you should contact
service centers in your own neighbourhood:
• Vesturgarður, service centre for the residents of Vesturbaer district, Hjardarhagi 45-47,
tel. 411-1700
• Hlíðar, service centre for the residents of the city centre and the district of Hlidar,
Skulagata 21, tel. 411-1600
• Laugardalur and Háaleiti, service centre for the residents of the districts of Laugardalur and
Haaleiti, Sidumuli 39, tel. 411-1500
• Breidholt, service centre for the residents of Breidholt, Alfabakka 12, tel. 411-1300
• Árbær and Grafarholt, service centre for the residents of the districts of Arbaer and Grafar-
holt, Baejarhals 1, tel. 411-1200
• Miðgarður, service centre for the residents of Grafarvogur and Kjalarnes, Langarima 21,
tel. 411-1400
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