Discussions & Thoughts: Conflict at the First Farmingville Food Share

On Thursday, June 25th, Long Island Food Not Bombs conducted its first Food Share in Farmingville and it was an awesome success. Needless to say, each Thursday at 6:30pm, from here on out, the Farmingville chapter of Long Island Food Not Bombs will be sharing free vegetarian/vegan groceries and other necessities at the small public space located near Horseblock Rd. and Granny Rd.

That said, we also had some problems namely by some hate mongering racists and a confused police officer who threatened to shut us down.

Here's what happened... Just after we set up the tables, and before we could share food with anyone, a woman and man pulled their car in front of our table. They came out to talk to us under the guise of being interested in what we were doing. We explained who we were and shared a couple of bags of groceries with them.

After they took the food into their car the woman asked if we also "feed the illegals" to which one FNB volunteer replied "we share food with everyone, regardless of race, class or belief." Looking annoyed she went back into her car and sat in front of our Food Share table for 10 minutes while making phone calls. What ensued when she came out was an hour long berating of threats, insults, hate mongering bigotry and ignorance (from her directed at our table).

At this point we realized that she wasn't just a passer by, but in fact was waiting for us. Her name was Margaret Bianculli and she was the head of Sachem Quality of Life's Farmingville branch, a neo-Klan hate group that disguises itself as a civic organization. Needless to say Margaret's history is very colorful and includes actions like protesting peace vigils after two day laborers were brutally beaten... ya, i know, scumbag.

After it became clear that we weren't threatened by her or her pals she left and called the cops on us. A few minutes later a police car rolled up and an officer threatened to shut us down because he was told we were selling goods without a permit. After we explained that we weren't selling anything he apologized and actually thanked us for what we were doing in the community.

After the police left, the racists returned shortly to tell us that they'd return with "their friends" a clear threat to us and the people at the Food Share table. United as one we responded with smiles on our faces that we'd be sharing food off Horseblock Rd. every Thursday and there was nothing they could do to stop us. To this the racists drove off.

Onlookers who saw the confrontation came up to ask us questions and became interested in what we were doing. At this point lots of people started to come to the table to get some food. In a funny way, this racist woman united us all and showed the people in the neighborhood that we were in solidarity with them against the hate-mongers who threaten the Farmingville community every day.

Solidarity is why we started this Food Share, because Farmingville is an area that we want to be in solidarity with. To make it clear Long Island Food Not Bombs does not believe any living being can be illegal. All people have the essential right to improve their lives and the lives of their families and that in itself is a fundamental fact that has created this country.

People who come to our Food Share tables trying to deny others food will not tolerated. Their hate will not be tolerated. We don't get intimated, we stand in solidarity and we invite you to come down this Thursday to stand with us.

Love & Liberation,
JonSTeps

Thoughts about the Mirschel Park gardening project

If I ever needed proof that there was a problem in Farmingville, I certainly got it last night.

Along Horseblock Rd., in a small triangular public space we were confronted with extreme prejudice after only moments of setting up our new food share. We were called ignorant, instigators, and dividers of the community. We were called outsiders, fools, and called an exclusive organization. This is all while food and clothing were being taken from the table.

Of course this sounds like some horrible experience, but it was more like ripping a bandage off to reveal an infected wound. Now we can see for our own eyes that it is infected and we just need to treat it with care.

I don't think there is any room for debate about political or religious background in this situation. We want to share food with the Farmingville community - end of story.

A public safety officer arrived with an overbearing desire to shut us down until he realized the good that we were doing. He let prejudice get a hold of him but now he might be a friend.

We all had a chance to talk with passers-by and invite them to take food. And we almost shared it all! If we can keep some energy going this will become a new monument to success in no time.

Just rambling-
Vincent

Wow, we had our first Thursday Food Share in Farmingville tonight.

What a night!  It started out slow, we had some bread and salad to share, then this woman came by in a car, a very racist creature.  Turns out she is Margaret Bianculli, from the Sachem Quality of Life.  I believe the president of the Farmingville Chapter.  Members in this group try to intimidate and create a climate of fear within the Mexican and Latino communities. 

Well, she didn't intimidate us!  She wanted us to pack up our bread and leave.  We did not.  We stayed, even when she called the police.  Security also told us to leave, but when he realized we were giving out free food and not selling anything, he welcomed us to stay.  Then little by little, people started coming to the table.  We gave out most of our bread and salad.  Such appreciative, beautiful people we shared with. 

I can't wait to go back next week. 

WE MUST FIND MORE PLACES TO DONATE FOOD TO US!

This is a community that needs our presence. 

Thank you Jon, Vincent, Jonathan, Dan, Jim, Karen, Lynne, John, Ryan and everyone else that came to help.  And thank you to those that came to the table with smiles and hopefully will be back next week.  I'm so excited about this new chapter.  See everyone next week:)

peace, rose 

I have been involved in a lot of actions for a lot of years trying to change the world. Last night in Farmingville, I finally felt I was doing something to that end. We set up tables with donated food and clothing to give away and try to create community in the very divided town of Farmingville. Before any food could be given away we were challenged by the law and the very hate that divides this community. This very committed group called Food Not Bombs held their ground knowing that giving and sharing can only be the right thing to do. The man representing the law understood, the woman representing hate will never get it. But when these incidents passed, people came - working class, families, the hungry - took the food and said thank you. I hope to be there every Thursday from 6:30-8:00 at the clock on Horseblock Road because we all have the same needs, the same wants, we are all the same.

Peace,
Karen

It's been a long time since I've felt as involved in something as tangible and immediately impacting as Food Not Bombs. has the potential to do. Sharing food, building community; its simplicity and sheer honesty is often so hard to see clearly in a world with so many conflicting interests. However, for a group with so much potential to do a tremendous amount of good, I truly look forward to seeing what becomes of the initial steps taken yesterday and where they will lead us.

-Jonathan

Interested in learning more? Check out these links.

Find more information on the Farmingville Food Share
Share your thoughts on our Farminville forum
Read our original announcement.