MontCo Food Not Bombs (Montgomery County, PA) is a dedicated local chapter of the national Food Not Bombs network, committed to building solidarity and mutual aid in Montgomery County and the surrounding areas. We're a ragtag group of volunteers who believe in a kinder, better world. We share a common goal: to address the needs of our community through collective action. Politicians, foundations, and traditional non-profits often claim to serve the public but tend to prioritize their own interests. We believe in the power of grassroots organizing to directly tackle the challenges we face, fostering a community-led approach to care and support.

Currently our little group gathers monthly to prepare and serve food (two separate days). We are hoping to have capacity to expand serving for a second date soon.

What is Food Not Bombs?

Food Not Bombs is a decentralized global movement dedicated to sharing free food. Food Not Bombs began in 1980 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, when a group of anti-nuclear activists used street theater and shared meals to protest economic policies, military spending, and social injustice. The first event, involving a soup line outside the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston, gathered homeless individuals and activists to call attention to the financial support behind the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant. Inspired by the success of this action, the founders continued to collect surplus food and distribute free, vegetarian meals as a form of peaceful protest.

The movement’s core principles—nonviolent action, participatory decision-making, and food sharing without restrictions—have since led to the establishment of chapters in over 1,000 cities worldwide. Food Not Bombs is not a charity but a decentralized effort that empowers communities to address issues like hunger and homelessness while challenging systems of violence and oppression. The group emphasizes self-organization, rejecting reliance on government and corporate solutions to social problems

While each Food Not Bombs group is independent, we all adhere to a set of common core principles:

• Dedication to mutual aid not charity.
• Horizontal decision making using consensus.
• Opposition to all forms of oppression such as racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia etc.
• Dedication to nonviolence and promotion of veganism/vegetarianism.
• Food is a human right, not a privilege.

Why do we only serve vegetarian and vegan food?

Food Not Bombs serves vegan and vegetarian meals because it aligns with our core values of nonviolence, inclusivity, and sustainability. By offering plant-based food, we avoid contributing to the exploitation of animals and keep the menu open to everyone, regardless of dietary or ethical choices. It’s also practical—plant-based food is easier to source, store, and share, especially since much of it is rescued from surplus. Plus, it’s a quiet act of rebellion against industrial farming and its role in environmental destruction, echoing our stance against war, greed, and oppression.

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Solidarity, not charity.