Closing the Food Disparity Gap One Food Desert at a Time
As a child when you are hungry you just run to the table with excitement, ready to eat. You do not think about where dinner comes from, it just magically appears. As someone who grew up eating anything WIC and Food Stamps, or SNAP, could buy, I was intrigued to learn more about Chef Amber Williams’ book, Surviving the Food Desert. The book shares recipes meant for the everyday cook with access to limited fresh ingredients and pantry staples.
Raised on meals pulled together by her mom from local food drive boxes, Amber is a self-taught chef who you may know from Food Network’s Supermarket Stakeout. Coming from a lineage of chefs, restaurateurs, and entrepreneurs, cooking captivated Amber at an early age. She planted herself in front of the TV, “I was stuck to the TV since I was a child, watching public access TV…[then] when we did have cable, watching Food Network.” She stalked any cooking show she could find, “When people ask me what school did I go to, I’m like ‘Oh I graduated from Food Network University.’” By the time she reached college Amber became known as the go-to person on campus for sweet treats. Her sweet sensations were in such high demand that after school one of her college friends reached out and asked Amber to make her wedding cake.
Today, after a short stint in corporate America, Amber has her own culinary business, Le Rouge, “an elevated Creole Fusion brand specializing in providing professional, customizable and unique catering solutions”. Starting super lean in the early years, Amber maintained the fire to survive on her own. “I had to define what was and what was not important, and what was and was not a necessity.”
As Amber developed her culinary career she always remembered where she came from. While teaching a culinary class at the North Texas Food Bank she also listened and learned. Attendees of her cooking classes had questions, like “What is a butternut squash?” and “How do I cook that?” The more questions came, the more she began to recognize the need for education. Not only did people in food deserts need food, but they also needed education on ways to cook the food in nutritious ways.
When Amber set out to write Surviving the Food Desert we were all in the middle of a pandemic. This time in her life inspired her not only to include recipes in the book, but there are also moments of motivation sprinkled throughout the book. Some recipes in the book are staples from her childhood such as her mom’s “Full Pack Dinner”, which is a one-pot meal or a “gift on a plate” as Amber describes it.
For anyone struggling to make something out of nothing, or trying to decide what to do with the can of beans that has been in their pantry for months, Amber says to “Be creative, don’t be afraid to substitute, use what you have, and make it your own.”
The Surviving the Food Desert Project is about “bridging accessible resources to sustainable & approachable educational programming to improve and elevate the quality of life for citizens living in food-disparaged communities in order to further close the food & health disparity gap.” Accompanying the book is a resource guide, a directory for how people can be a part of the initiative in their community and find the closest organization near them.
For any up and coming chefs who grew up with a dream like Amber’s she shares some lessons learned. “Build a community, and get up under some people; be humble, work for people, even your peers. Envision what you want for your company and define your why, don’t rely on money. Find your signature brand or dish. There are tons of resources available like the Small Business Administration, chambers of commerce, and Google.”
Surviving the Food Desert is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and more.
Discover more from Flights and Foods
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
16,317 Comments
Michael Wong
Thanks for the valuable article. More at https://sibze.ru/user/berhanfvms .
Marc Vasquez
I found your article on water damage restoration very enlightening! It’s a topic that doesn’t get enough attention. Water Damage Restoration
Margaret Robertson
Wonderful tips! Discover more at foothills paving and maintenance .
George Porter
I found this very interesting. For more, visit meeting rooms for hire .
Alan Baldwin
Great tips! For more, visit http://eptdnru.ru/user/sammonpodl .
Chad Lindsey
Priority Restoration did an amazing job with my water damage clean up near me. Highly recommend their services!
I had a fantastic experience with Priority Restoration Philadelphia Water Damage Clean Up Near Me
Josephine Nguyen
“Financial clarity leads to improved decision-making; see a way to obtain it with the aid of Outsourced CFO solutions .”
Jacob Arnold
Great insights! Find more at local Kitchen remodeler .
Shawn King
This is quite enlightening. Check out local neurofeedback treatment services Denver for more.
Ronald Powers
I found this very interesting. Check out roofing companies near me for more.
Todd Snyder
Appreciate the detailed information. For more, visit expert tap installation .
Francisco Price
Appreciate the detailed information. For more, visit residential plumber .
Ora Alexander
Appreciate the useful tips. For more, visit passion bagnole .
Grace Nichols
I appreciated this post. Check out documenting mommy makeover before and after for more.
Beatrice Silva
This was highly educational. For more, visit Sinks .
Allie Brooks
If you’re in search of nontoxic ##Hot Water Systems Mandurah close to me##, you need to truely assess out their capabilities. Top-notch! Qualified Hot Water Systems plumber Mandurah
Susie Ruiz
I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly best towing company Monroe responded when I needed help on the road.
Evan Carson
Lately, I came across a lively conversation about how important it is to pick the best nursery for your child. It is crucial for their advancement to find a secure and nurturing surroundings daycare
Cole Jenkins
Just had my home pressure washed by driveway pressure washing near me —such a great job!
Lela Olson
The right pediatric dentist can make all the difference in your child’s oral health routine. What qualities do you value in a pediatric dentist near me ?