Mean Spirited City:
Food Insecure Community Members Left Out
in the Cold by City
Popular Free Food Table Taken Down Because of 'Code Violation'
Breaking News
Emeryville's food insecure lost another resource today, as city public works crews removed a table that has been offering free, non-perishable food to the community, on orders of Emeryville City Attorney John Kennedy and City Manager LaTanya Bellow.
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| The Tattler Free Food Table on its first day. |
According to a written notice signed by Mr Kennedy, the table was in violation of municipal code section 7-2.02 (a).
The table was set out in November, as a community response both to the federal government 'shutdown' crisis, which threatened SNAP, formerly USDA food stamps, and the extended relocation of E.C.A.P., a critical local food bank distribution point, to West Oakland.
Conceived, constructed and initiated by the Tattler's Editor, Brian Donahue, the table quickly became a node of community activity. Local neighbors continuously replenished what was made available and those in need could take what they wished with dignity.
The table was located at the Horton and Sherwin street intersection near the Emeryville Artists' Cooperative driveway.
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| The Food Table on Monday. |
It is unclear how disruptive the table's removal will prove to those who have come to rely on it.
While ECAP recently returned to its longtime home on San Pablo Avenue, long lines and limited hours make it inconvenient to access for some, such as those in low-paid jobs with inflexible hours.
Renewed assault on programs at the federal level such as SNAP and Medicaid could drive more people into food insecurity. Some users of the food table expressed to the Tattler their dismay at the prospect of its closing.
The Tattler will continue following this story and will provide an update as more facts become known.
City Manager LaTanya Bellow has so far declined to respond by press time, to multiple attempts to reach her via telephone and email.
The initial story on the table is HERE.
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| The Department of Public Works removed the table today at 8:30 AM. It is unknown what will become of the table or the food that was on it when it was taken. |
Leave it to Emeryville to fuck up something good (and free) like this. Thanks to the Tattler for trying again.
ReplyDeleteThere's a home made food table like this in Berkeley that's been there for years. The city of Berkeley has no problem with it. Why does Emeryville hate it?
ReplyDeleteThere are at least two 'homemade' free food tables on the sidewalk in Berkeley and one in Oakland that we know about. These will be reported on in our follow up story. Thanks for the comment.
DeleteThat code says you didn't have a permit. Maybe you should try getting a permit.
ReplyDeleteEmeryville so far has said NO to this via an encroachment permit. It's immaterial nonetheless because it is too expensive (for me) and neighbors are allowed to say NO to the permit. Anything that would help people with food insecurity will be denied by at least some neighbors, of course. The City of Emeryville says NO to free food tables. This is your city.
DeleteI'm all for people having access to free food, but I walked by a few times and saw perishable food scattered around and birds eating it. Seems unsanitary and not healthy for people, especially with avian flu concerns. I've seen other free food tables outside barber shops or places where they can be temporarily installed while someone is around and taken in at night. I wonder if something like that might be a way to provide sealed, non-perishable free food but avoid health and code issues?
ReplyDeleteFree food tables come with risks (like everything else good). The question is: should birds stop food insecure people from getting food? It's an ethical dilemma for some (apparently). Consider the fact that you are secure in your ability to acquire food, presuming you are, and let that help guide you. Thanks for the comment.
DeleteWorld-wide, statistics show that 50% of all prepared and packaged food is wasted/thrown away. That is equivalent to $400 billion of wasted edible food a year. If ever there is a defined "sin", this is it. The fact that you, Brian, are in your small way trying to provide food for those who do not readily have access to it is commendable. So why would our local government prevent you from giving food? Governments are accountable for global food waste and our Emeryville government is a clear participant. Our local government must change just as our federal government must change.
ReplyDeleteIt's really community members that provided the food. I just supplied the table. This was a community effort. The people in Emeryville are better than their government.
DeleteThe relevant section of the Emeryville municipal code reads:
ReplyDelete7-2.02 Permit Required.
(a) No person shall make, cause or permit to be made any excavation in the public right-of-way or make any improvements on, under, over or across the public right-of-way without first obtaining an encroachment permit from the Department, with the exception of projects undertaken by the City. No encroachment permit shall be issued if the applicant does not have legal authority to occupy and use the public right-of-way for the purposes identified in the application.
(b) The Director shall require an applicant to enter into an encroachment agreement with the City if: (1) the applicant is a utility or other person installing, using or maintaining facilities in the public right-of-way; (2) the applicant is subject to an ongoing franchise or use fee or franchise or fee agreement; or (3) it is in the City’s best interests to enter into an encroachment agreement. An encroachment agreement may not obviate the need for an encroachment permit.
Apparently, the Honorable Mr. Kennedy believes it is not in the City's best interests to enter into an encroachment agreement since that would be providing a service to individuals who are not as well-off as he finds himself. Mr. Scrooge is alive in well in Emeryville.
That and the fact that the City of Emeryville says anyone asking for an encroachment permit must get all neighbors to agree with the encroachment. I shouldn't have to say in today's world, there's always someone who will object to helping under resourced people. It's an axiom in Trump's America and specifically in Emeryville. How do I know? I tested it. Some people objected to the idea of a food table at this location making a permit impossible. Isn't that special? That's our town.
DeletePerhaps refer them to a proper food pantry less than a half a mile away instead of a half eaten bag of trail mix? Brian, we all know you didn’t do this for some altruistic goal of helping feed the hungry. You did this knowing the outcome so you can write some BS about it. 🥱
ReplyDeleteThe Tattler Food Table is just a bunch of BS says Anonymous. Tattler haters never fail to entertain (or astonish). Here’s a man (yes, a man) who is all about pure cynicism in the administration of the public commons. Please tell us your name Mr Anonymous so we know not to vote for you when you run for city council, as you surely will. People like Mr Anon are commonly rewarded with positions of power, especially in Emeryville. And what are the properties that define such people? Lack of empathy, cynicism and a narcissistic failure to imagine that there could be people who would want to help other (less fortunate) people. You belong on the Emeryville City Council Mr Anon. Are you already there?
Delete