Baking as Activism
bake sales as catalysts for change
Vol 3. // In This Issue:
Power of the Bake Sale
How To Get the Weed Into the Food
History of Pot Brownies
Our Bake Sale Raised Over $12k for Reproductive Justice
Current events has my anxiety on high. My stomach knotted up into a tight ball and I wanted to barf. I knew it was coming but couldn’t believe it. I marched for Women’s Rights in Washington, D.C. 18 years ago, why does it feel like we’re moving backwards? I felt helpless and scared for women, and didn’t know what I could do.
Last weekend I had a bake sale for reproductive justice with my fellow activist bakers. I made over 200 Earl Grey Lavender Shortbread Cookies, F-Yea! Krispy Bars, and CBD Dog Cookies. Everything sold out in three and half hours! Lots of people were interested in the CBD Dog Cookies and had questions about how to use CBD for their pets. So, in honor of my sweet Miles Woowoo, Miles’ Favorite CBD Dog Cookies will be this Thursday’s recipe.
Two summers ago, a bunch of bakers met via Instagram through the first Bakers Against Racism bake sale. We bonded through baking as therapy. We huddled and commiserated together (on Instagram) as the news of racial injustice and violence unfolded during a pandemic. This bake sale was the first time many of us have met in person, but we hugged as longtime friends. I feel less anxious about the state of affairs when I’m baking and raising funds to help create the change I want to see in the world.
It might not be a lot, but at least it’s something.
Bakers Against Racism is a collective of people from all walks of life who bake to make the world a better place. Unofficially the world’s largest bake sale raising over $2.5 Million for social justice causes worldwide. Everyone who wants to see radical change against systemic and structural racism, can participate and host a bake sale. Check out the resources page to mobilize your food and sweets into action. #BAKETHECHANGE
Giant list of Abortion Funds, a comprehensive and vetted list of organizations to guide your donation decisions.
The Power of the Bake Sale
Women and organizations have used the humble bake sale for centuries to enact influence and be a catalyst for change. Learn more about the impact and significance of bake sales throughout history:
“Particularly in the 1800s, who was likely to do the baking? Women. And from that one supposedly natural domestic activity, a great fundraising strategy was born. Women applied their skills to baking and selling for a cause.”
National Museum of American History: “Woman-led philanthropy: From organizing bake sales to advocating for woman suffrage”
"The Woman Suffrage Cookbook" was intended to show that women's traditional roles were not in conflict with politics. Between recipes for traditional Boston dishes like fish chowder and Parker House rolls were sidebars about suffrage and what the right to vote would mean.”
Salon: “From suffrage to abortion access: A brief, subversive history of women baking for liberation”
“Bake sales have always been powerful radical tools for those deprived of, or lacking in, more formal political sway, which is why women were the first to host them… Bake sales were born from societal limits about what is, and what isn’t, a woman’s place or role, Gifford says, because men were expected to occupy the public sphere, while women were kept in the private one. Women upended those expectations by turning bake sales into powerful grassroots tools.”
Taste: "The Power of the Bake Sale"
“It’s easy to see why this movement has taken off: Bake sales are an incredibly accessible way to support causes you believe in. “I am not interested in these grand galas and political benefit dinners where it’s $10,000 a table to have things cooked for you,” says Pickowicz. “I wanted to create something that would be really accessible for everyone in my community to participate in.”
Food & Wine: The Bake Sale Returns to Its Political Roots
How Do You Get the Weed Into the Food?
This was a question one of the bake sale bakers asked me. It’s a great question and why I love what I do. Let me teach you how! Next Sunday I’ll post “Guide: How To Infuse Cannabis Oil” with step-by-step low dose instructions for paid subscribers.
Reasons to Make Cannabis-Infused Food At Home:
More affordable and cost efficient
Healthier ways to incorporate cannabis plant medicine into daily routine
Quality control and benefit of whole plant entourage effect
Useful skill if you live in a state where you don’t have safe access
Read // Article: The Difference Between Eating/Drinking vs. Smoking/Inhaling Cannabis
Read: // Article: Beginner Guides to Cooking + Baking With Cannabis
Read: // Article: “History of Weed Brownies” via High Times
Speaking of pot brownies, a virtual bake sale with *catnip* desserts is in the near future. Keep an eye on your inbox for that announcement. Special brownies and blondies are on the menu. Paid subscribers are first to be notified whenever treats are available.
COMING UP NEXT
Vol. 3.5 // Guide: How To Get the Weed Into the Food
For Paid Subscribers
Guide: How to Infuse Cannabis Oil
Thanks for joining this magical flower train and reading Fruit + Flower Unfurled. I appreciate the hell out of each and every one of you.
XOXO, Christina W.
