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Earth-saving Food Activities

Posted December 9, 2022

The following is a guest blog by Hee-Jeong Nam, a member of the Christian Life Community (CLC) in Korea.

“As a person from a farm village, I had been interested in the environment,” said Nam. “But I came to have an awakened attitude toward environmental issues over 20 years ago when I made my first commitment in CLC and when my local community was trying to find a communal apostolic activity.”

Below, Nam explains the ways she uses sustainable eating habits to teach people— from kindergarteners to adults—how to be healthier, more earth-conscious eaters.

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For over two decades, I have been farming eco-friendly gardens and running Osaek Omi Babsang, which means, “A table with five different colors and flavors.” 

About 20 years ago, I united with CLC members, devoting myself to the Christian perspective in healing the environment. While studying environmental issues, I learned that food has a great impact not only on people’s health but also on the earth itself.

With a mission to inform everyone about healthy food, I have been working as an instructor in kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as in military units, environmental groups, and civic groups.

I teach people young and old how food affects their health and our environment. In particular, I emphasize why local food and slow food movements are alternative ways. 

However, realizing that it is difficult to change eating habits through education alone, I also lead eco-friendly cooking classes to demonstrate how to cook healthy and nutritious foods.

For five years, I have been running Osaek Omi Table to encourage people to eat more healthfully. In addition, I teach them how to protect the environment through food. For example, at Osaek Omi Table, I use multi-use containers rather than disposable containers, and I prepare plant-forward meals using ingredients I have grown myself.

It is most rewarding to present alternative ways to eat that are more healthful and more sustainable through cooking classes, share food with low-income families, and open restaurants for children through partnerships with community members and local residents.

I confess that I am able to continuously grow and spread these earth-saving food activities to the world because Jesus is with me.