Before the COVID-19 era began, Danielle Cantor (26) was managing a cute pizza joint in Tel Aviv’s Levinsky Market and working with everything having to do with food. From writing and documenting it, to cooking and serving it. She documents stories and photographs using food as a means to understand the uniqueness and struggles of different cultures via her project ‘Culture of Consumption’ and through other collaborations/magazines. During the COVID crisis, along with a group of dedicated women who are just as passionate about food waste, food justice, and people, she started a grassroots initiative where thousands of people mobilized to help the most vulnerable amongst us. There is no doubt that she is one of the most inspiring young individuals to answer our questions.
By Lemur Magazine
What was the last song you listened to? And what do you most expect listening to next?
The last song I listened to was Havana Burning by Dan Reeder. I look forward to listening to a series a friend recently sent my way; ‘Tapestry of the Times’, a podcast sharing songs and stories recorded on Smithsonian Records over the past 70 years. (Highly recommended!)
What do you want to be when you grow up? How would your 10-year-old self react to what you do today?
I would like to continue growing as a writer. I hope to have a book or two published–giving me an excuse to hit the road and ramble around on book tours, learn from different cultures, meet new people, learn about life from their stories, and hopefully, to continue putting my passion on paper. Ultimately, I aim for a life that allows me to explore. I think as long as what I do connects to food in some form, she’d be happy.
What’s the career highlight you’re most proud of?
Last August I had a booklet release at a well-known store/studio here in Tel Aviv. I was published by a local independent publisher, Hell No Publication & Distribution, and was met with incredible feedback.
There was a remarkable turn out and a beautiful layout of food, booklets, framed photographs, and beers.
This was the first time I shared my writing and photos with the world in physical form. It was a significant moment in my life where I saw hard work not only pay-off but also receive great recognition. It gave me the fuel to keep on doing what I do.
What is the one thing we should pay more attention to as human beings?
Listening and internalizing information.
For right now, What or who inspires you the most?
Community, solidarity and eating out alone at weird places I’ve always wondered about.
What is your superpower?
Connecting with people.
If you could go back to anytime in history, where would you go?
I feel like in every period of time, people have held on tight to the past. I’ve heard endless complaints about our era from boys who idolized the 60׳s music revolution or by bitter adults that miss the good ol’ days.
I do cherish what life looked like pre-COVID to some extent, but something needed to change. Even with extensive amounts of knowledge, awareness, and advocacy, We lived in a bubble. As we speak, a revolution is taking place worldwide. With that being said, I am pretty pleased to be part of the present.
How did your project, “Culture of Solidarity” come to be?
In early March, when we realized that restaurants and offices will soon be shutting down due to the Corona crisis, potentially resulting in obscene amounts of food waste, we decided to collect their surplus food, with the intention of cooking warm meals for the homeless. But when we received more donations than we could possibly cook, we realized that rather than offering a meal for the day, it made more sense to help underserved folks prepare for the coming weeks––and what eventually became months, When access to social services and aid would be very limited.
With the food we collected, we went from assembling and distributing 30 boxes on our first day, to almost 400 boxes full of fresh produce and dry goods on the third. From then on we kept going and growing. Up until late May, we ran food drives over the course of three days a week that fed hundreds of people weekly. Among the people we supported were elderly folks, families at risk, domestic abuse survivors, sex workers, single mothers, asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrant workers.
We also have volunteers who cook warm meals for the elderly and for those who are unable to cook for themselves; single mothers, people suffering from mental/physical illness, street tenants, etc.
As well as a pop-up market that opens once a month in different low-income neighborhoods around the country. The market has anything from kitchen appliances to toys and is free for all. It is based solely on donations, making it another form of minimizing waste.
We’re still focusing our efforts on minimizing food waste by allocating some of the funds we received to farmers who have been hit hard by the shutting down of restaurants and hotels.
We’re helping to minimize their losses while receiving fresh produce for low prices that would otherwise be thrown away.Our strength is rooted in our growing community with hundreds of volunteers who cook, pack, transport food, and have regular phone conversations with seniors and people who need a friendly ear during this difficult time. We’re not an organization but a movement of everyday people that felt a call for action.
To end with a positive note, how can one join and take part in your project?
Mutual aid encourages a culture of solidarity, the best way to fit in is getting to know your community and starting your own grassroots initiatives based on the demographic need. If anyone is interested in joining our cause, they are more than welcome to reach out and see how we join forces. Our project is constantly evolving as are Corona regulations and restrictions and as the financial crisis is intensifying.
Extra note
If just two months ago people were donating money, time, space, produce, dry goods, medicine, baby formula, diapers– then now, the same donors are in a financial pickle themselves.
We, a group of citizens, over the past few months prepared and delivered over 15,000 food packages based on private donations. At the moment we are still bringing food to those in desperate need, but on a much lower volume than during the high season of the virus, aka the shutdown. As of now many of our team members and volunteers are protesting our corrupt government who has not taken responsibility for their struggling and hungry citizens. Join us in solidarity.
How to contact us
cultureofsolidarity.com
Email: [email protected]
IG: @culture_of_solidarity
Facebook: תרבות של סולידריות