It will take imagination and work to create a world without bombs. Food Not Bombs recognizes our part as providing sustenance for people at demonstrations and events so they can continue participating in the long-term struggle against militarism. We also make bringing our message to other progressive movements part of our mission. We attend other organizations' events and support coalition-building whenever possible We work against the perspective of scarcity that causes many people to fear cooperation among groups. They believe they must keep apart to preserve their resources, so we try to encourage feelings of abundance and the recognition that ifwe cooperate together, all become stronger. 

Being at the center of the action with our food is part of our vision. Sometimes we organize the event; sometimes we provide food at other organizations' events. Providing food for more than one day is more than just a good idea. It is a necessity. Either the movement can seek food services from the outside and be dependent on businesses that may not be progressive, orwe can provide for ourselves. Clearly, it is Food Not Bombs' position that providing for our own basic needs, in ways that comprehensively support the movement, is far more empowering. We have provided food at long-term, direct actions, such as the annual Peace Encampment sponsored by the American Peace Test at the Nevada Nuclear Weapons Test Site; to tent cities that highlight homelessness and hunger in San Francisco, Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C.; and for the regular feeding of the homeless in highly visible locations throughout the country 
 
 

During 1980, a group of friends who were active in the protests against the Seabrook nuclear power project were searching for a way to connect the issues of nuclear power and militarism. One of our many activities was to spray-paint anti-nuclear and anti-war slogans on public buildings and sidewalks using stencils. One of our favorites was spray-painting the words "MONEY FOR FOOD NOT FOR BOMBS" on the sidewalk at grocery store exits in our neighborhood. One night, after an outing of spray-painting, we had the inspiration to use the slogan "FOOD NOT BOMBS" as our name. By having a slogan, the message of our group would be clear, and by repeating our name over and over again even the media would be getting the political concept of food, and not bombs, to the public. We would not have to proselytize because our name would say it all. As we arrived with the food, people would say, "Hey, here comes Food Not Bombs."