Ep. 27 - Sierra Nuckols - Founder of Community Food Box Project
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Intro
Today I’d like to share a short story. A couple of months ago, I was considering having this guest on Third Space Indy to contrast food insecurity with the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday. I wanted to have a conversation with someone who was serving their community. It seemed obvious that I would reach out to an organization that was focused on giving food to people in need.
I did not have the foresight to anticipate a month-and-a-half-long government shutdown. I did not have the knowledge of the term food apartheid. I certainly was not thinking about food systems the way I do now after this conversation. The past few months have been difficult, and it has shown a lot of gaps in the way our system operates. It shows how fragile our society is, especially regarding how it treats our most marginalized people, people who do not have access to fresh food easily.
But I have seen Sierra’s work first-hand over the past couple of months since I first reached out to have her on the podcast. This is not someone who is showing up just to be in service, but rather, she is doing it with the end goal of liberating people from a system that wants to keep them hungry. That is Sierra Nuckols and the Mutual Aid organization Community Food Box Project. I really hope you enjoy our conversation. If you’d like more information about how you can give or contribute to this or other food-focused organizations around the city, please reach out.
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Production learnings
Story Time
Episode Summary
Episode Transcript
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Important links and mentions
Community Food Box Project
Community Food Access Coalition
Indy Food Connection
Tinker Street
Jazz Kitchen
Chatterbox
Sahara
IDOC Watch
Production learnings from the episode
I had a really great time recording outside for this episode. My guest for next week, who has become a listener, even told me she has noticed that the audio in my podcast has improved substantially over time.
I really appreciate this feedback.
I am also really happy with the way the video looks. In this case, the early morning light on a cold day really makes people look pleasant, and no exception here. I think this outdoor lighting and soundscape continues to be what I enjoy the most, even though the surrounding features and potential interruptions are often strange.
Speaking of Interruptions
Just a fun little tidbit from this week’s recording. I had two special guests and two people I consider friends randomly stop by during the podcast. This may become a strangely normal occurrence as I gain notoriety, acquaintances, and continue to record in public. I imagine at some point it will get annoying, but for now, and to an extent, it fits exactly what I’m trying to do. Create moments for connection.
And what is more connecting than random encounters with people you enjoy having around you? I am thankful to have had these two gentlemen, Jake Budler and Clif Marsiglio, stop by and add a little bit to the pizazz of the conversation, and beyond this, I am happy that people feel comfortable enough with me to consider doing so.
Third Space Indy is supported by City Rising
Episode Summary
Addressing Food Apartheid and Food Sovereignty with Sierra Nuckols
In this episode of Third Space Indy, host Michael Zarick interviews Sierra Nuckols, founder of Community Food Box Project. They discuss the concept of food apartheid, coined by Karen Washington, and how systemic issues like redlining and white flight have contributed to food deserts in Indianapolis. Sierra highlights the importance of food sovereignty, empowering local black farmers, grassroots organizations, and working-class communities. She shares her personal journey growing up with food insecurity, founding the Community Food Box Project in 2016, and its mission to provide small pantries throughout the city. They also talk about the impact of the government shutdown, the role of mutual aid, and the need for local food hubs. Sierra emphasizes supporting local farmers and avoiding the traditional non-profit industrial complex. Finally, they touch upon the significance of community-supported efforts and third spaces, like gardens and local eateries, in building and maintaining vibrant communities.
00:00 Understanding Food Apartheid and Food Sovereignty
01:24 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
01:55 Sierra Nuckols and the Community Food Box Project
04:54 Impact of Government Shutdown on Food Insecurity
09:45 The Concept of Food Sovereignty
13:59 Challenges and Realities of Food Insecurity
20:09 Community Efforts and Mutual Aid
21:59 Critique of Corporate Charity and Non-Profit Industrial Complex
28:57 Geographical Focus and Community Gardens
30:28 Introduction to Grassroots Organizations
30:54 Focus Families and Community Gardening
32:05 Third Space Indy Sponsorship
32:21 Unexpected Guests and Conversations
33:44 Defining Third Spaces
34:42 Personal Third Spaces and Sobriety
40:41 Community Building Through Food
41:43 Working at Tinker Street
43:01 Shoutouts and Restaurant Experiences
45:32 Final Thoughts and Farewells
Episode Transcript
Sierra Nuckols
[00:00:00] Sierra Nuckols: Food Apartheid was coined by Karen Washington out of, Rise and Root Farm out of New York. And basically it shows us that. Our system relegates certain people with food opulence and then certain people with little to no food at all.
And that's happened over a process of what we call apartheid in America, which is things like redlining, slavery, white flight, things like that that have happened over the course of our history that have created food deserts. where certain grocery stores or most grocery stores won't go into certain neighborhoods because that neighborhood has been literally created, as a majority black neighborhood, neighborhood in poverty.
So that's what we talk about when we say food apartheid. And then the other term to kind of keep in mind is food sovereignty. Mm-hmm. And that's what we're fighting for.
and what food sovereignty does is it, puts the power back in the hands of the people who are hungry or who have, lived in neighborhoods like food deserts.
So, for example, our black farmers, like empowering our black farmers, empowering our grassroots, community workers and the working class, stuff like that.
[00:01:24] Michael Zarick: Hello, my name's Michael Zarick, and this is Third Space Indy in 1989.
A man named Ray Oldenberg wrote a book called The Great Good Place. In this book, he coined the term, the third place. This is a place where people build community and sort of can exist in whatever way they come about. So the goal of this podcast is to talk to people like my guest today, who is building community right here in Indianapolis.
Today I'm joined by a very important. Leader and organizer right here in Indianapolis.
Her name is Sierra Nuckols and she is the, founder of Community Food Box Project right here in Indianapolis. Community Food Box project works to provide food to people in, food deserts all over the city. And does that through what are effectively community made boxes full of food, but I'll let Sierra take the time to explain that much more, uh, profoundly than I can.
But first of all, hello Sierra, how you doing?
[00:02:21] Sierra Nuckols: Hello. I'm great. How are
[00:02:22] Michael Zarick: you? Yeah, I'm doing wonderful. I actually got here a little early 'cause I, I think when I do these early morning podcasts, I am like a little grouchy, so I like take time. Oh yeah. To show up early, drink a full cup of coffee and like eat a pastry.
'cause we are behind Amelia's in Windsor Park right now and I just like sat. And was cold for like an hour outside, but then you came up and you were so, you're so kind, so Aw. Yeah. I feel good. Um, great. Uh, so why don't you go ahead and tell the people about yourself and then about Community Food Box project.
[00:02:59] Sierra Nuckols: Yeah, so, um, my name's Sierra. I am from the near east side of Indianapolis. So 10th and Sherman, between 10th and rural, 10th and Sherman area. Um. And I grew up with, a mom had me at 15, so she struggled with food insecurity when she was young. And then I kind of grew up seeing my neighbors struggle with food insecurity and my mom would help to feed them, um, and stuff like that.
So that really is kind of what sparked my passion for this from a young age. , And so I founded Community Food Box Project in 2016. Where we refurbish old newspaper boxes and turn 'em into little pantries for people to take food when they need. I originally partnered with the Little Free Pantry Movement out of Arkansas.
Uh, Jessica McClart is the founder of that.
[00:03:52] Michael Zarick: I'm familiar with that
[00:03:52] Sierra Nuckols: actually. Yeah. Yeah. So, um, I messaged her on Facebook, um, after going to. South Africa, I learned about the, an anti-apartheid movement and met, met Desmond Tutu there. So that sort of, um, really like catapulted the project and when I came back I'm like, Hmm, what can I do, you know, uh, within that sector of like food insecurity, food apartheid, that would, um, really make a change in the community.
Um. And that was kind of the first idea I had. So that was like the beginning of my journey into food justice. And so we put the first box in 2016 out at IPS school, 56. And from there people gained interest and then I started putting boxes at other organizations.
[00:04:43] Michael Zarick: How many boxes do you have right now?
[00:04:45] Sierra Nuckols: 86 right now, but
[00:04:46] Michael Zarick: what the fuck? Yeah, it's so many.
[00:04:48] Sierra Nuckols: But we are doing a big food build or food box build on Yes. The 22nd.
[00:04:53] Michael Zarick: You are.
Okay. I we, before we started recording, I said something to you, which is that we planned to record this like a month and a half to two months ago. And then since then we have gone through a government shutdown. That was the longest in history. Yes. That has recently ended. We have gone, uh, as a result of that long government shutdown, we experienced three weeks of, uh, missing SNAP benefit payments.
Uh, for people who are ins or food insecure as well as people who exist outside of that, um, system who still need food. Mm-hmm. Um, because that affects food pantries. And then when you're not on SNAP and you don't have access to food, you rely on food pantries and those are stressed. Yeah. Um, so there's a lot of aspects there.
All this to say I couldn't tell the future and the other could view, and the fact that all of that happened since we planned to even sit down together is. Absurd. Mm-hmm. Um, can you tell me a little bit more about your perspective, um, on these recent events and sort of how it's affected your work?
[00:06:01] Sierra Nuckols: Absolutely. So, ooh, what a question.
[00:06:06] Michael Zarick: Um, I know it's hard. It's hard.
[00:06:07] Sierra Nuckols: Yeah. These, I mean, I think the events. Mostly goes to show how unpredictable our government and people in power can be. Um, we often, especially people in poverty, rely on assistance to meet our needs because, um, we live in food apartheid, which.
That.
[00:06:33] Michael Zarick: Can you define that
[00:06:33] Sierra Nuckols: Food Apartheid was coined by Karen Washington out of, um, Rise and Root Farm out of New York. And basically it shows us that. Um, our system relegates certain people with food opulence and then certain people with little to no food at all.
And that's happened over a process of what we call apartheid in America, which is things like redlining, slavery, white flight, um, things like that that have happened over the course of our history that have created food deserts. So like, um, where certain grocery stores or most grocery stores won't go into certain neighborhoods because that neighborhood has been literally created, as a majority black neighborhood, um, neighborhood in poverty.
So that's what we talk about when we say food apartheid. And then the other term to kind of keep in mind is food sovereignty. Mm-hmm. And that's what we're fighting for.
[00:07:29] Michael Zarick: Yep.
[00:07:30] Sierra Nuckols: Um, and what food sovereignty does is it, um, puts the power back in the hands of the people who are hungry or who have, uh, lived in neighborhoods like food deserts.
So, for example, our black farmers, like empowering our black farmers, empowering our grassroots, um, you know, community workers and the working class, stuff like that. So. Back to, I guess we can rewind. So back to the government shutdown. I think it kind of is a very jarring way for us to see what food apartheid really is, right?
It's like, okay, these people can literally just snatch these resources out of our hands at any time. Mm-hmm. And I think I was just. So excited and happy to see how many people came together. Like, uh, small business owners, individuals, communities, started to do food drives and they started to come together to help feed our neighbors.
So that was really awesome. Mm-hmm. But, um, definitely really scary stuff and I think that we don't know, you know, when the next time this can happen is, or. You know, it can happen at any time. So I think just being persistent about being educated about our food system as well as continuing to do these food drives and helping put out food boxes is important.
Mm-hmm. Even throughout the end of the shutdown.
[00:09:03] Michael Zarick: Yeah. I, I'm like such a, I really appreciate the way you framed, uh, the community effort because I'm such a cynic. Yeah. I, because to me it too, sometimes it's like, yeah, it's hard not to be, I think in many cases, but. When I see community businesses coming together to raise food for people, my immediate thought is it is unfortunate that they are put in a position to even have to do that
[00:09:28] Sierra Nuckols: very,
[00:09:28] Michael Zarick: like, it's obviously a very good thing that they are, but it's like, it's not their responsibility to feed these people in a lot of ways.
[00:09:34] Sierra Nuckols: No.
[00:09:34] Michael Zarick: Uh, and that's like cynic in me, but you framing it as like, it's amazing that they did so is so true. Mm-hmm. Like, and that's something to keep in mind and we should support those people for doing that. Um.
[00:09:43] Sierra Nuckols: Mm-hmm.
[00:09:45] Michael Zarick: what is, oh, actually let me talk about the term food sovereignty, because Nick Selm, who I did like a quick episode with a couple weeks ago at Flanner Farm brought this term up to me.
So it was the first time I'd heard that actually from him, this idea of sovereignty. I'm gonna focus in on that word, is about personal control. Yes. Over the food. Um. Okay. And the way this is framed is through food apartheid, through a lack of food sovereignty. We have relinquished control. Um, we have moved all of our food production to a few large farms.
Yes, our food providers like Kroger or large, um, grocery brands are the ones that control the pricing and the sourcing and all of those things rather than that being within the realm of individuals or small communities. Mm-hmm. And this idea is really interesting to me about retaking control in a lot of ways and putting in the hands of the people, as you say.
Mm-hmm. Um, what does that, like, what does that look like in your, in your mind's eye? Oh,
[00:10:57] Sierra Nuckols: I love this question and you did a wonderful job articulating it. Um, what food sovereignty is. So in. You know, I've done a lot of work in food policy, like localized food policy and seen a lot of, the gatekeeping that occurs and how much money and resources go to like corporate nonprofits and, um.
While that helps temporarily, you know, or it can kind of provide aid and relief. It does not address the issue of like food apartheid or move us toward food sovereignty. So my biggest thing that I, you know, came to conclusion about with this. Over the years of like talking to local farmers and doing this work is that we need to see more localized small food hubs.
So like, for example, Flanner Farms does a good job of, you know, growing for their community. They sell at a local church, they sell at Cleo's and, uh, different small, you know, places. So what, , we've kind of looked at is. Can we create, instead of having one large scale place like a Kroger or some corporate place that all the food goes to, to distribute, um, can we have small hubs, whether it be at churches or commercial kitchens or different places that farmers can aggregate the, the produce, sell it, or make value added products?
And what that is, is essentially like if a farmer wants to make a canned good or. Something like that to put into market.
[00:12:44] Michael Zarick: Mm-hmm.
[00:12:45] Sierra Nuckols: So that, I think would put the local control back into play there of like, okay, um, you know, we have this place that's near our farm, we're serving our local community. We're not necessarily traveling over to the west side.
If we're over here on the east side and we're serving the people. It also kind of creates a way to educate. The community about, you know, hey, there's this place you can go to, like, learn how to cook or like, get recipes or information that you need. Um, and you can also get your produce, you can also get your products you need, things like that.
[00:13:25] Michael Zarick: Mm-hmm.
[00:13:25] Sierra Nuckols: So that's one solution that I've really, uh, talked to a lot of people about.
[00:13:32] Michael Zarick: I'm hyper fixating on this cat cleaning itself over there. Oh, do you see it? It's behind the guy at least. I think that cat's name is like Butternut Squash or something.
[00:13:40] Sierra Nuckols: Oh my gosh.
[00:13:41] Michael Zarick: It's like the neighborhood cat. Sorry. It's
okay.
I'm like, I'm absorbing, uh, the energy of my wife. She's like slowly rubbing off on me and now every time I see a cat I freeze.
Oh yeah. Aw. Do you have cats? We
do have a cat. Her name is Mommy cat. She's spoiled and rotten.
[00:13:57] Sierra Nuckols: It's so cute.
[00:13:59] Michael Zarick: I, I kind of wanna talk more about like the negative stuff that's gonna sound like, can you tell me like, what are the, like how often are you interfacing with people who are dealing with food insecurity? Um, interfacing, meaning just interacting at any level. Um, talking, hanging out or, or just seeing any of that kind of stuff.
[00:14:19] Sierra Nuckols: Absolutely. Yeah. So I have, um, I have some people I mentor that. Um, I used to run the feed program, uh, like Nick does now. Mm-hmm. Nick Selm, and I have some students that I still keep in contact with that I, you know, um, mentor them about jobs or housing, things like that. And they have, they deal with it really bad.
I mean, and I often. I don't like tell people this a lot, but I often drive food to them from Food Box Project. Like I'll actually do deliveries with my car and stuff. Mm-hmm. Um, even have a few friends. Right now that are dealing with it, which is kind of crazy. Um, 'cause that just shows you how in your face it is.
But, um, you know, and then with the food boxes, when we fill them, we often come across people that, uh, utilize the boxes and they'll say like, thank you. Or they'll, um, I've had people help us fill it, you know, they'll go to our car and be like, Hey, let me help you, you know, fill it. And then they'll take stuff.
So it's quite often and. It's more people than you know, because, you know, there's folks that, um, make the mark for SNAP, but then there's the folks that make a little bit too much for Snap and they also need help. 'cause after rent and bills and all these things, they often don't have enough for food.
[00:15:49] Michael Zarick: Yeah.
That idea of, of means testing if, is that a term you use ever?
[00:15:53] Sierra Nuckols: Mm-hmm. I heard that.
[00:15:54] Michael Zarick: Uh, it's sort of this idea that, uh, when we offer. Help to people. We have to make sure that they are the right person that needs help.
[00:16:03] Sierra Nuckols: Yeah.
[00:16:03] Michael Zarick: Uh, so we're testing quote unquote their means. Oh,
[00:16:06] Sierra Nuckols: that's their
[00:16:06] Michael Zarick: means
[00:16:06] Sierra Nuckols: for like, yeah.
See and that's something we're against because, and we love our pantries. No offense to the pantries, but a, a lot of times pantries have a lot of stipulations about that. Like, you have to have a certain, you have to make a certain amount or, um, not all of them are like that, but some are. So, yeah. It's definitely,
[00:16:28] Michael Zarick: do you know Jake?
[00:16:29] Sierra Nuckols: No.
[00:16:30] Michael Zarick: That's Jake Budler who runs tomorrow Bookstore.
[00:16:34] Sierra Nuckols: Oh, cool.
[00:16:34] Michael Zarick: Hi Jake. Yeah, what do you, you can come say hi..
[00:16:37] Sierra Nuckols: I'm looking in the sun,
[00:16:38] Michael Zarick: but I'm gauging if I can come and crash the party. You can.
We're talking about food insecurity SNAP benefits.
The government shut down That cat over in the next
[00:16:46] Jake Budler: Two weeks. What should everyone do?
[00:16:48] Michael Zarick: Oh really? Just, I don't think it would come through the microphones very much. So I just had Jake Budler who is a co-owner. Do you co-own? Yeah. Okay. Co-owner of Tomorrow Bookstore walk up. And I said, what should I ask Sierra?
And he said, in the next two weeks. What can we do to help you? Sorry to interrupt
[00:17:02] Sierra Nuckols: In the next two weeks. Mm. I would say number one, uh, continue donating to food boxes. It always helps. Number two, find your local farmer, urban farmer, um, and go buy produce from them.
Go support them, get to know their name, ask if you can volunteer, get involved. Um, that's some immediate things I think all of us can do.
[00:17:36] Michael Zarick: so thank you for answering his question. I actually, it, it sort of leads directly into, we can go back to talking about pantries in a second, but, uh, I had a question about like farmer's markets.
Mm-hmm. Um, 'cause Indianapolis has some great farmer's markets, in my opinion. When you are saying like support local farmers, are you talking about the people who go to farmer's markets or is there, are you talking about people outside of that system?
[00:17:58] Sierra Nuckols: That's a really, really great question. I am, farmer's markets are great to start to just kind of dip your toes in to see what that looks like of like, how do I support a farmer, how do I buy from a farmer?
Mm-hmm. Um, but I think researching and looking for the ones that are kind of outside of that system. Is important too. And there's a new group. There's a couple of groups I'll name right now. I used to be the president of Community Food Access Coalition, and then there's this new group called Indy Food Connection.
And some of the work that they're doing is trying to. Uh, create digital ways to find these farmers. Like, Hey, here's a map of like all the local bipoc farmers that you may not know about. Um, so be on the lookout for that. 'cause those resources should be coming out soon. But kind of looking out for like, places like Elephant Gardens, soul Food Project, mother Loves Garden, these are all, um, Garcia's Garden.
He's sometimes at farmer's markets. Mm-hmm. But, uh, these are all. Like bipoc owned farms, that they do also do programming for children to teach them how to, uh, grow produce. And so they're doing more community based work and they're not just doing the straight up, you know, we grow food and we sell it. You know, this is like, they're trying to do some more of that c
[00:19:24] Michael Zarick: they're working towards the idea of food sovereignty.
[00:19:26] Sierra Nuckols: Yes.
[00:19:26] Michael Zarick: Yes. To be more specific. Also for my mom, I don't know what my mom knows and doesn't know, so I just always have to add definitions. Uh, BIPOC means, uh, black and indigenous people of color. Yes. Just to throw that definition out there.
[00:19:38] Sierra Nuckols: Mm-hmm.
[00:19:39] Michael Zarick: Um, try to be mindful of definitions and things.
[00:19:42] Sierra Nuckols: Yes.
[00:19:42] Michael Zarick: Thank you.
[00:19:43] Sierra Nuckols: Um,
[00:19:43] Michael Zarick: oh, back to food pantries, because I think we stopped right in the middle of that. Um, talking about like filling those gaps, talking about avoiding means testing people. Like why are. Programs like yours and, oh, what's the other one? It's Indy. Indy Community Pantry. Community pantry. Mm-hmm. Yeah. That's the big fridge one, right?
She has fridges. Yes.
[00:20:05] Sierra Nuckols: The fridges.
[00:20:06] Michael Zarick: Um, her fridges are cool. She gets like local artists to paint.
[00:20:09] Sierra Nuckols: Yes.
[00:20:09] Michael Zarick: Um, can you talk a more about like why someone might donate to you versus a pantry, um, to work towards filling those gaps that maybe pantries don't fill?
[00:20:21] Sierra Nuckols: Absolutely. Um, I think we all have a part to play and.
You know, community food box project is what you would call a mutual aid organization. So we are a 501c3, but we purposefully don't take large scale funding.
[00:20:39] Michael Zarick: Mm-hmm.
[00:20:40] Sierra Nuckols: The reason why is because funding is often competitive and it plays into the non-profit industrial complex, which is,
[00:20:47] Michael Zarick: yeah. Especially here in Indianapolis.
There's like a weird, I don't, I can't explain it.
[00:20:51] Sierra Nuckols: Yes. It's really interesting. We've, I mean, and that's not to say we haven't tried, um, but through trying have realized how difficult it is and how much you have to sort of succumb to that system in order to run your non-profit in that way. So I think the reason why Mutual Aid is so important is that we are community organizing with no.
Attachment to that system of power. So that means we are giving food directly, um, with no stipulations, no questions asked. Anybody can come take it whenever they need. Um, and anybody can also donate whenever they need. So I think that is why we continue to do things the way we do 'em. Um, and I would say, I don't know, I, I haven't talked to.
The founder of in Indy Community Pantry, but I would say she'd probably say the same thing. So,
[00:21:52] Michael Zarick: yeah.
[00:21:52] Sierra Nuckols: Mm-hmm.
[00:21:53] Michael Zarick: Um, actually I'm gonna go on my high horse here for a second. 'cause I, I've been thinking about this for like months about charity and the way it works, um, especially in Indianapolis. Um, but it in a lot of places.
We moved from northwest Arkansas where the Walton family is and Walmart is Oh wow. Is like based and, you know, I think people. Give a lot of credit to these like large businesses and, um, large community foundations that are donating a lot of money. They're like, oh my God, they give so much money to whatever charity or whatever.
And we went to this, uh, my wife and I went to this charity, uh, like, like their giant annual fundraiser. I won't say which one 'cause I, I don't wanna put anyone on blast in this way, but,
[00:22:40] Sierra Nuckols: okay.
[00:22:40] Michael Zarick: Um. Because I think the work they're doing is really important. Actually, charity work is very important.
[00:22:46] Sierra Nuckols: Mm-hmm.
[00:22:47] Michael Zarick: But always, by my perception, charity is a, a failure of the state or, or like the systems that we live under in a lot of ways.
So when I go to these large fundraising organizations and I see them like thanking their corporate sponsors. Yes. And like basically, I'm gonna call it groveling. They are groveling for money from these large corporate sponsors that. At the same time, they are helping support these charities that do good work.
And the people within those charities that do good work, they, the corporations that give those dollars are the same ones that create the systems that require those charity dollars to, to be. Mm-hmm. Uh, you know. Useful to those charities, if that makes sense. Um,
[00:23:33] Sierra Nuckols: yes.
[00:23:34] Michael Zarick: So I've been thinking about that for months.
I just like, am like going to these large, uh, like fundraisers always makes me feel a little gross.
[00:23:42] Sierra Nuckols: Mm-hmm.
[00:23:43] Michael Zarick: Um, and I, I know that's what I think of that is. So like, when I look at people like you doing the work you do, frankly doing the opposite. You are, you know, you're asking kindly, you're, um, saying.
You know, which again, they're also asking kindly in their own way. So I don't mean to demean any specific charity's work.
[00:24:03] Sierra Nuckols: Mm-hmm. '
[00:24:04] Michael Zarick: cause again, it's important.
[00:24:05] Sierra Nuckols: Mm-hmm.
[00:24:05] Michael Zarick: But you are community supported, community funded, and doing work within the community you work in, if that makes sense. And I, I really appreciate that.
I.
[00:24:14] Sierra Nuckols: You've said that so beautifully, like the way you articulated that. I think a lot about this. Me too. And you know what, like I've been creating a local food system power map that it like explains exactly what you just said and back to feeling like a little bit discouraged.
Mm-hmm. Um, you do see this and I think like, oh. You know, even on a local level, it's like sometimes yes, you do see the charities that are doing great work and there is. The positive aspect within that. But then when you start to break it down, you start to see that some of these corporate nonprofits are actually created by the corp, the very corporations that are funding them.
Mm-hmm. So if you look at their founding boards or their founding members, it could be Walmart or Anthem Insurance or Lilly and Company or all these like major corporate, um. You know, people or corporations, major corporations, and you know, when they create these nonprofits, it's not always to really solve an issue.
Sometimes it really is to move money around. And I saw this on a local level. I mean, um, we have an Indy Food Policy Commission here that is a board of, uh, 13 voting members. From different areas of the food sector. And there, you know, has been, um, corporate nonprofits on this board who have made a lot of decisions about where money is being moved around without any community input.
Mm-hmm. So you see this gatekeeping on a local level and you do see, uh, corporate nonprofits that are influenced by this system that we're talking about. Making these decisions uninformed, you know, and being very cocky about it. Like, oh, well we got a study done by IUI or we got this done. Well, you've had the money to do that, or you've had the corporate support to be able to do that, but when have, when's the last time you sat down with a bipoc farmer?
Or when's the last time you've went door to door or done this kind of work? You know, so it, I get really frustrated about this topic. Um, two, and I think about it a lot because like you start to see how in your face it is, um, and you see, oh man, like this is something that's perpetuated. It's not, you know?
Um, and it's normalized too. I mean, you go in these rooms, you go in these commission boards and people are silenced. Um, or you go in these rooms and people are silenced and that seems normal, but. And then when people come in and start to say, we don't want to be silenced anymore, it becomes this, oh my gosh, they're so scary.
They're so radical. Or like, they don't, you know, which is so interesting to me. 'cause it's like, why do you not want community input?
[00:27:16] Michael Zarick: The um, and to the point of like Walmart.
[00:27:19] Sierra Nuckols: Mm-hmm.
[00:27:19] Michael Zarick: I feel, I feel comfortable talking about Walmart 'cause Ugh. Um, but Walmart. And Snap to the point. It's like, I don't know the exact statistic, but it is a sizable amount.
I think it's between 40 and 60 somewhere of Walmart employees are on SNAP benefits.
[00:27:36] Sierra Nuckols: Wow.
[00:27:36] Michael Zarick: And it's like, you don't, you think that Walmart giving a million or dollars or however much money a year to a charity is gonna help pull people out of that system rather than just them just increasing the wages of their employees.
[00:27:49] Sierra Nuckols: That's a really good point.
[00:27:50] Michael Zarick: Um, well, there was a story. We moved from Arkansas, so that's why I had heard of the, the thing that you said you learned from
[00:27:56] Sierra Nuckols: mm-hmm.
[00:27:57] Michael Zarick: Um,
[00:27:57] Sierra Nuckols: oh, yeah.
[00:27:58] Michael Zarick: Uh, in Wal, like I said, Wal Walmart is like very much a force in, in northwest Arkansas, that's where they're based and founded. Um, and there was a story in like 2022 when we were there.
That's like, oh, Walmart donated a million dollars to this L-G-B-T-Q charity. It's so, it's so glorious. Like that's a lot of money. It's like, well, there. Walmart employees, probably a million queer people.
[00:28:24] Sierra Nuckols: Mm-hmm.
[00:28:24] Michael Zarick: If you changed your internal policy, you increased their pay, you are probably doing far more good than whatever that million dollars goes towards.
[00:28:34] Sierra Nuckols: Exactly. Yep.
[00:28:35] Michael Zarick: So I think about that. That's all within the same realm of thinking.
[00:28:39] Sierra Nuckols: Yes.
[00:28:39] Michael Zarick: Um,
[00:28:40] Sierra Nuckols: for sure. Yeah. That's where you start to see a lot of times. It's for a write off or to promote or uplift their name. That they're doing something good, but like you said, if they just increase their wages, that would be even better for Yeah, yeah,
[00:28:57] Michael Zarick: What are the parts of Indianapolis that you are working the most within? Um, obviously it's like food deserts, but like geographically, like what are the most, uh, like places that you're going?
[00:29:09] Sierra Nuckols: So our food boxes, most of them exist on the near east side and the near west side.
Very close to downtown. Westminster Food Pantry, they sponsored nine boxes over on this area, in this area. So on the near east side. And then we did a huge build, in 2017 of like wooden boxes. So we have a lot of, those around the, near, near west as well.
Mm-hmm. So we're trying to get more on the near south. We don't have a lot like in the Fountain Square area. Um. I, I don't know if that's because we just haven't reached the businesses and community down there as much. I, I've done a lot of work on east and west side, so I think that's probably why I know a lot more people in those areas.
[00:30:01] Michael Zarick: Definitely. And there's other people filling the gaps that you can't, but you said you live, you're living in or from the near east side?
[00:30:06] Sierra Nuckols: Yeah, I'm right here. The
[00:30:07] Michael Zarick: street? Yeah, the street. So it makes sense that you would operate over here too.
[00:30:09] Sierra Nuckols: Yes.
[00:30:10] Michael Zarick: Um, like I said, community effort within the community that you live in. So
[00:30:14] Sierra Nuckols: yes.
[00:30:15] Michael Zarick: I'm gonna wait for the train.
So you said you have a garden?
[00:30:18] Sierra Nuckols: Yes, we have a garden. We started this year in Haughville.
It's called Warman Street Garden. We partnered with, um, IDOC Watch. Yeah. Which is. Another grassroots org. And then what
[00:30:31] Michael Zarick: does IDOC stand for? I've seen
[00:30:33] Sierra Nuckols: Indiana Department of Corrections. That's
[00:30:35] Michael Zarick: right.
[00:30:36] Sierra Nuckols: So they do a lot of, like making sure prisoners are safe, um, talking to prisoners about their experiences within, uh, prison and making sure that they're, you know.
Not being abused and things like that. And then focus Families, they're another grassroots org. I don't know what focus stands for, but they do reentry work grassroots. So when people are coming out of prison helping with like case management or looking for jobs and things like that. So they have a house in Haughville and we trans
[00:31:18] Michael Zarick: like a halfway house almost, or,
[00:31:19] Sierra Nuckols: yeah.
Okay. And then we. They were already gardening on it, but they asked Cultivate and community food box project to come in to help, you know, with the land. And we were able to partner with eight farmers from Central Africa and they tilt it up and they're utilizing the land to grow for their families and for different things that they do.
But the agreement is that they're able to like teach, Folks in the community, how they're growing it, and then, um, how we, how to cook it and stuff like that. So it's pretty cool. It's like a cross-cultural way to get more people exposed to different ways to grow food.
[00:32:03] Michael Zarick: Cool. Thank you for sharing. Yeah.
I, I Third Space Indy is sponsored by, uh, third, what is Thursday? Indy sponsor.
Oh, it's right here. Third Space Indy is sponsored by City rising@crising.org. Mark Latta is decided to sponsor the podcast. Oh, and there's Cliff Marsiglio.
[00:32:23] Clif Marsiglio: What's up?
[00:32:24] Michael Zarick: Good morning.
[00:32:24] Clif Marsiglio: Hi. Good morning.
[00:32:25] Michael Zarick: You're the second person to interrupt the podcast.
Well, I guess I interrupted it. We're recording.
[00:32:29] Clif Marsiglio: Oh, did you notice that?
[00:32:32] Michael Zarick: What's going on?
[00:32:34] Clif Marsiglio: Hello there.
[00:32:35] Michael Zarick: Oh, I'm keeping me, Cliff. I'm keeping that in.
[00:32:38] Sierra Nuckols: Oh yeah.
[00:32:38] Michael Zarick: Have you met Sierra before?
[00:32:39] Clif Marsiglio: Yeah. Hi, I'm, hi. Familiar? Yeah.
[00:32:43] Michael Zarick: Indy
[00:32:43] Clif Marsiglio: community. My mom is Gale Cosby. I feel like, oh, were you at the DSA meeting?
I was, yeah. Okay. Your
[00:32:48] Michael Zarick: mom is Gail Cosby?
[00:32:49] Clif Marsiglio: Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
[00:32:52] Michael Zarick: Wait, we gotta talk about
[00:32:53] Clif Marsiglio: that mom. Yeah. We should have had Gail Cosby right here.
[00:32:58] Michael Zarick: You just dropped some crazy, crazy info
[00:33:02] Sierra Nuckols: on That's so funny.
Oh my
[00:33:03] Michael Zarick: God, I didn't know that. That's
so,
[00:33:04] Sierra Nuckols: yeah. Yeah, that's fine.
[00:33:05] Michael Zarick: Wait, were you at the meeting last night?
[00:33:07] Sierra Nuckols: Yeah.
[00:33:08] Michael Zarick: Oh, okay. I I should've been there, right? Were you
[00:33:09] Sierra Nuckols: Oh, okay.
[00:33:10] Michael Zarick: Uh,
[00:33:10] Sierra Nuckols: she was, yeah, moderating the panel.
[00:33:12] Michael Zarick: I would've said hello if I was, so
[00:33:14] Sierra Nuckols: yeah, that was a great turnout.
Mm-hmm.
[00:33:16] Michael Zarick: Oh, I was talking about the sponsorship.
[00:33:18] Sierra Nuckols: Okay.
[00:33:18] Michael Zarick: City Rising is a social impact studio that leads and supports innovative projects that strengthen, celebrate and repair people in places. So if you're a people or a leader of an organization or any other, anything else, and you're interested in, strengthening your community, improving your lived environment, uh, or anything like that, reach out to me or go to city rising.org for more information and I'll get you connected to Mark.
But anyways, uh, Mark has sponsored a question.
[00:33:43] Sierra Nuckols: Okay.
[00:33:44] Michael Zarick: Uh, which is, what is a third space to you?
[00:33:48] Sierra Nuckols: Ooh,
[00:33:48] Michael Zarick: do you know what third space is? Oh, cat,
[00:33:50] Sierra Nuckols: yes. It's so cute, cute kitty. Um, well, I'll try to explain it. Maybe you can help me out. I think as Third Space is a place, a public place. That you can go, that you don't necessarily have to pay for something to sit there or to study or do whatever you do.
Right. Have a meeting. Um, I think of things like libraries and parks and, um, stuff like that. I don't know.
[00:34:23] Michael Zarick: Yeah, it just, it's more like a personal answer.
[00:34:27] Sierra Nuckols: Okay. Like,
[00:34:27] Michael Zarick: whatever you feel in your heart is the right thing.
[00:34:30] Sierra Nuckols: Okay.
[00:34:30] Michael Zarick: Um.
Do you have like any like specific third spaces that stand out in your life?
[00:34:37] Sierra Nuckols: Yes. I would say
the garden, um, is a third space for me. The
[00:34:45] Michael Zarick: one in Haughville?
[00:34:46] Sierra Nuckols: Yeah. Okay. Um, that's kind of where I go. Where I feel at peace and I can like water the plants or even just sit there. I really like, I mean any garden, um, I like gardens that have benches and like seating areas too.
[00:35:04] Michael Zarick: Yeah.
[00:35:04] Sierra Nuckols: Where you can be outside.
[00:35:06] Michael Zarick: Definitely.
[00:35:07] Sierra Nuckols: Um, that really, that's what feels, makes me feel at peace.
[00:35:11] Michael Zarick: Yeah. Thank you for sharing.
[00:35:12] Sierra Nuckols: Yeah.
[00:35:13] Michael Zarick: Uh, next question, very related. What is a third space or place that. Has existed for you in the past that no longer exists or you no longer visit?
[00:35:25] Sierra Nuckols: Let me think on that for a second. well,
probably bars even though that
[00:35:32] Michael Zarick: No,
[00:35:32] Sierra Nuckols: you're right. You have to pay to be there. But
[00:35:34] Michael Zarick: actually the, I'm glad you said that because. By definition you like payment pays no effect.
[00:35:41] Sierra Nuckols: That has no effect. Yeah. Okay, cool. By
[00:35:43] Michael Zarick: like book definition.
[00:35:43] Sierra Nuckols: So that means just a place that outside of work and home basically. Yeah.
Okay. So definitely bars for me 'cause I, I'm two years sober, which is awesome. Um, yay. Just fucking go. Yeah. So I definitely used to frequent the bars and that was my third space where I went to kind of relax and unwind and no offense to the bars. People that go to bars, that's awesome. But yeah, just not for me anymore.
[00:36:12] Michael Zarick: So was this like a local thing?
[00:36:14] Sierra Nuckols: Yeah.
[00:36:14] Michael Zarick: Did you have like a frequent spot?
[00:36:17] Sierra Nuckols: Um, well I used to work at the Chatterbox, so I would go there all the time. The
[00:36:21] Michael Zarick: Chatterbox comes up a lot.
[00:36:23] Sierra Nuckols: Yeah. I've
[00:36:23] Michael Zarick: never been in there.
[00:36:24] Sierra Nuckols: Yeah. It's a, it's a good place, but also a wild place, so, um, so I would go there a lot, even.
Outside of work and hang out. Um, Jazz Kitchen, I still go there to dance. Mm-hmm. So
[00:36:39] Michael Zarick: I still haven't been there and we are planning to in a couple weeks.
[00:36:42] Sierra Nuckols: Mm. Okay. Yeah, you should. Yeah. You'll like it. It's pretty cool.
[00:36:45] Michael Zarick: Uh, we're going to see, do you know who, uh, Richard? Huh? I shouldn't call him Richard. His name is Sleepy.
Oh
[00:36:52] Sierra Nuckols: yeah.
[00:36:53] Michael Zarick: He's like a local drummer.
[00:36:54] Sierra Nuckols: Sleepy's. Awesome.
[00:36:54] Michael Zarick: Yeah. So we're gonna see him.
[00:36:55] Sierra Nuckols: That's gonna be fun.
[00:36:56] Michael Zarick: well thank you for sharing, uh, and I appreciate yo shout out to you for being strong and. Being sober. That's hard.
[00:37:01] Sierra Nuckols: Thank you.
[00:37:02] Michael Zarick: Um, for
[00:37:03] Sierra Nuckols: sure.
[00:37:04] Michael Zarick: so every episode I have the previous guest. Ask the next guest a question.
[00:37:09] Sierra Nuckols: Okay.
[00:37:10] Michael Zarick: So, uh, yesterday I recorded the podcast at Alley Cat Ceramics with Alexa and, um, Alyssa, who runs the Groovy Greenhouse Studio next door. And they asked you together? I had, I was like, oh, you could ask two questions, but they, they were like, oh, I'm asking the same question.
Um, so they asked, what is the most recent thing that you've done or tried, uh, that put you out of your comfort zone?
[00:37:37] Sierra Nuckols: I like that question. Yeah. Hmm.
I gotta think about that one. weirdly. The thing that comes to my mind is at work, um, I work at Tinker Street, which is
[00:37:49] Michael Zarick: like
[00:37:50] Sierra Nuckols: the restaurant Awesome restaurant. Yeah. On 16th and New Jersey. And I at work we had like a one-on-one and that put me outside of my comfort zone. 'cause I'm always afraid of like reviews and stuff, but I end up like, it was awesome.
Mm-hmm. And like. My bosses were super supportive. And then I like advocated for myself and I'd normally, I'm like, I tend to be a people pleaser, so I kind of struggle with saying like, Hey, I like, I would like it if you guys did this, or I would, you know, and I tried really hard to do that, to say exactly how I feel and like what my needs are.
And I think that was outside of my comfort zone, but definitely a moment of growth for me. Mm-hmm. So that's what comes to mind.
[00:38:39] Michael Zarick: Yeah. I hate to call out who your bosses are, but was it Jordan and Tyler?
[00:38:43] Sierra Nuckols: Yeah, Jordan. Yeah, Jordan and Sarah, so,
[00:38:46] Michael Zarick: oh, Sarah. Sarah, okay. Chef Jordan or Chef?
[00:38:49] Sierra Nuckols: Chef Tyler. Yeah, chef
[00:38:50] Michael Zarick: Tyler.
[00:38:50] Sierra Nuckols: He wasn't in the review, so
[00:38:52] Michael Zarick: uh,
[00:38:52] Sierra Nuckols: he'd probably just be goofy the whole time. So,
[00:38:57] Michael Zarick: uh, I was actually with, that is why I missed, uh, the DSA meeting actually, because I was at, well, I was. Patrick Armstrong does like live podcast recording. And Tyler and Jordan always there providing food. Yeah. Oh yeah. It's like I'm there eating Tinker Street food.
[00:39:16] Sierra Nuckols: That's awesome.
[00:39:18] Michael Zarick: Small. I'm very, I'm
[00:39:18] Sierra Nuckols: such a small city. Like I'm
[00:39:19] Michael Zarick: very familiar with those, those two gentlemen. Yes. They're both wonderful.
[00:39:23] Sierra Nuckols: Yes, they are.
[00:39:25] Michael Zarick: Uh, and also Tinker Streets in, what do you do there?
[00:39:28] Sierra Nuckols: I'm a server.
[00:39:29] Michael Zarick: You're a server? Yeah. Okay. Yeah, I've been once, um, which was wonderful. Uh, and I do plan on going back.
Um, and I'm sure you're great at your job.
[00:39:39] Sierra Nuckols: Thank you. Yeah, I try. I'm newer. Um, but I like it there 'cause they support the Food Box Project a lot. Like
[00:39:48] Michael Zarick: Oh, I was gonna ask, I'm really happy you said that. 'cause the business seems like a business that would do that.
Mm-hmm. Um, they're really interested in, at least by my perception, uh, in, in like supporting the community. They're, like I said, Jordan and Tyler, who's the head chef. Uh, are always out in the community, like doing, like every time I'm at a event, they just happen to be there. That's why I know them so well.
Right. Yeah. Um, because I just encounter them so regularly, so, uh,
[00:40:15] Sierra Nuckols: yeah. Shouts out to them for sure.
[00:40:17] Michael Zarick: Yeah. Well, thank you for sharing. Yes. was your review good? Are you able to share?
[00:40:20] Sierra Nuckols: Yes.
[00:40:20] Michael Zarick: Okay.
[00:40:21] Sierra Nuckols: It was good. Everybody, I have my jobs still. Yeah.
[00:40:27] Michael Zarick: How long have you been there?
[00:40:28] Sierra Nuckols: Only since August.
[00:40:31] Michael Zarick: Hmm.
[00:40:31] Sierra Nuckols: So a couple months.
[00:40:33] Michael Zarick: Um, so actually I, do you mind talking about like, being a server at all? Okay,
[00:40:40] Sierra Nuckols: sure.
[00:40:40] Michael Zarick: I,
[00:40:40] Sierra Nuckols: yeah.
[00:40:41] Michael Zarick: One of the things I really attach to, and you're the first ish, I mean, if we discount Nick Selm, you're the first person at the very core of, uh, the idea of this podcast. Is like this idea of community building and community existence.
[00:41:00] Sierra Nuckols: Mm-hmm.
[00:41:00] Michael Zarick: And to me, like food is so core
[00:41:05] Sierra Nuckols: mm-hmm.
[00:41:05] Michael Zarick: To the human experience, obviously we all eat. Yes. If you don't eat, you literally roll over. Yes. And like, also at the core of every like amazing neighborhood or like strong neighborhood, I think is like a, like a good place to eat. Um, and I think Tinker Street represents that well for the Near North Side.
There's places up in Broad Ripple where I live that, that do their, like core to the experience. Mm-hmm. And I think we also like really, discount the role that people like yourself who are servers at the restaurants that those people like, play into what makes a restaurant truly great. Can you share like, what about Tinker Street other than maybe like their support for, um.
Community Food Box Project like draws you in or if you enjoy working there, or what about the people you like or anything like that?
[00:41:56] Sierra Nuckols: For sure. Yeah. Um, I really liked Tinker Street. They encouraged me to be myself with serving, and that's one of the things we talked about was, um. , I'm not the most like prim and proper person, um, especially when it comes to like fine dining, but I do try to connect with the customers and I really like to like, kind of learn about them and like, where are you from?
Or, mm-hmm. Um, what brings you here? Where, why, you know, what, what kind of flavor palettes do you like? What do you like to eat? You know, stuff like that. Um, so that's kind of how I approach it. And then I just enjoy the people aspect of it. I'm kind of a people person, so I like talking to folks, getting to know folks.
Um, but I do believe that every part of the restaurant helps to build that community back of house two, um, as well as the servers. So. Yeah. And you said Broad Ripple in restaurants and I had to shout out Sahara. That's my favorite restaurant.
[00:43:07] Michael Zarick: Oh, really?
[00:43:07] Sierra Nuckols: In the whole world?
[00:43:08] Michael Zarick: Yeah. Like, uh, is that
[00:43:09] Sierra Nuckols: It's on
[00:43:10] Michael Zarick: Mohammed
[00:43:11] Sierra Nuckols: Mo.
It's Mohammed. Yeah.
[00:43:12] Michael Zarick: I walked in for the very first time and he goes, uh, salam alaikum. And I was like, I don't know how to respond.
[00:43:18] Sierra Nuckols: Yeah, well, like I'm sala.
[00:43:20] Michael Zarick: It's like, I'm so stupid when he goes, my name is Mohammed. And he talked, I don't remember what it's like. His, like his employee's name is, but they were both so friendly.
[00:43:29] Sierra Nuckols: Yeah.
[00:43:29] Michael Zarick: And I was like, oh,
[00:43:29] Sierra Nuckols: that's his, probably his son.
[00:43:31] Michael Zarick: Oh, that's probably it. Yeah. Mm-hmm. I was like, I'm half Lebanese and I feel like he like lit up at that and he like hooked me up.
[00:43:36] Sierra Nuckols: Yes, he does. He does not play. Like if he, and he always like gives people free tea and free desserts, uhhuh, and talk about community.
Yeah. Like he's feeding the people. For sure. And like there's been times I've came in and he's just fed me like, you know, and I'm like, dude, let me pay for it. And he is like, so,
[00:43:57] Michael Zarick: and I feel that, like, I feel like that I'd never see a ton of people in there. He must do a lot of, like to go orders or something?
[00:44:03] Sierra Nuckols: I think so. Catering and stuff.
[00:44:05] Michael Zarick: But like, I always get like really good vibes in there. I don't know. He is like a really kind guy. And uh, yo, shout out to Sahara on Broad Ripple Avenue. Give that man your money.
[00:44:14] Sierra Nuckols: Yes, please.
[00:44:16] Michael Zarick: Maybe I'll go later. Thank you for sharing about Tinker Street. I I love hearing that, especially from like your, I used to work at Texas Roadhouse.
[00:44:21] Sierra Nuckols: Oh, cool.
[00:44:23] Michael Zarick: Okay. Yeah, my mom, my mom actually like, works at their corporate office. Um, and High Key got me a job when I was in Bloomington, so I worked at the Bloomington Texas Roadhouse.
[00:44:32] Sierra Nuckols: Okay. Yeah.
[00:44:32] Michael Zarick: And I. I had some of the best and worst nights of my life. Yes. At that restaurant.
[00:44:39] Sierra Nuckols: Yeah. The industry's no joke. And I think like back to Tinker Street, they've worked really hard to make it a healthy environment, but being a server is not easy, especially in certain restaurants.
Like I've worked at places where I'm like, I would never go back there. Um, and we do a tip share too, which is really nice.
[00:45:00] Michael Zarick: That's good
[00:45:00] Sierra Nuckols: because
[00:45:00] Michael Zarick: one time I served a 12 or 13 person table. Got a zero. I, I think,
[00:45:06] Sierra Nuckols: see that's terrible.
[00:45:07] Michael Zarick: And that like totally ruined my night. I was like crying.
[00:45:10] Sierra Nuckols: Aw,
[00:45:11] Michael Zarick: I would too.
That's terrible. To like my managers and they're like, it's gonna be okay. I was like, it's not gonna be okay. I need money, bro.
[00:45:16] Sierra Nuckols: Yeah. Like, what do you mean?
[00:45:18] Michael Zarick: Like that would've been a fat thing if they tipped appropriately, but Right. Anyways,
[00:45:22] Sierra Nuckols: man,
[00:45:23] Michael Zarick: kind of a, it stuck with me clearly.
[00:45:25] Sierra Nuckols: Mm-hmm.
[00:45:26] Michael Zarick: Um, so I always try to be kind to servers.
[00:45:28] Sierra Nuckols: Yes, absolutely.
[00:45:30] Michael Zarick: Um. Amazing. So is there anything else you wanna talk about?
[00:45:35] Sierra Nuckols: I think you touched on everything. I, I'm really happy we got to talk about not only just the food boxes themselves, but more so kind of the larger mission. Um, talking about policy, talking about, um, you know, everything from farming to food, apartheid.
I think we touched on everything. So yeah, I really appreciate
[00:45:57] Michael Zarick: everything. Absolutely. I really appreciate you. I mean, you did. You, you activated the, the conversation, but I was already was like thinking about, uh, you outside of that. So I appreciate you reaching out and asking to come on. Um, and I'm happy we got to sit down this morning.
It's a beautiful day. It's, um, one last question before we wrap up. What question would you like to ask the Next third Space Indy guest?
[00:46:20] Sierra Nuckols: Ooh,
[00:46:21] Michael Zarick: it doesn't have to be about anything specific. You can do
[00:46:23] Sierra Nuckols: whatever you
[00:46:24] Michael Zarick: want. Okay.
[00:46:25] Sierra Nuckols: When's the last time you felt loved By a community of people? Hmm. Or a group of people?
[00:46:33] Michael Zarick: That's a great question. I love that. Uh, great. Thank you for coming on. Sierra. Sierra Nuckols. Yes. I'm gonna start calling you Nuckols when he's, what's up, Nuckols?
[00:46:44] Sierra Nuckols: I like it.
[00:46:44] Michael Zarick: Um. Can you tell the people where they can find you, how they can support community food box project, and anything along those lines?
[00:46:54] Sierra Nuckols: Definitely. So follow us at com, uh, at Community Food Box Project on Instagram. Our website is www.communityfoodboxproject.org. And then, um, you can DM us on Instagram to sign up for our email list. We do biweekly newsletters where we post about upcoming events or we talk, you know, we do little blurbs.
It's kind of a short newsletter, so it's nice to receive that. And then, um, every other Thursday we have a volunteer meetup at our office on 609 East 29th Street at Broadway, United Methodist Church. So please come out to that and support. We also have a food box build on the 22nd. So if you're interested in receiving a food box, reach us, reach out to us on Instagram as well.
And then my email is communityfoodbox2016@gmail.com.
[00:47:54] Michael Zarick: Um, is, is money or food direct food donations better?
[00:47:58] Sierra Nuckols: Um, it depends on the person's capacity. So if you have labor to give, give your labor. If you have money to give, give your money. It um, really doesn't matter. Our donations go directly to either food buying or food purchasing or our rent payment for our office.
So we definitely do need the donations, but um, we also welcome, you know, folks to come and give their time.
[00:48:27] Michael Zarick: Yeah. Alright. Thank you for sharing and thank you so much for listening to this episode of Third Space Indy. Thank you. You can find me at Third Space Indy on instagram.com. Do you, does anyone call it that?
No. Instagram
[00:48:39] Sierra Nuckols: com.
[00:48:40] Michael Zarick: Um, or you can go to Thirdspaceindy.com where I write a weekly blog that releases on Mondays incongruence with the episode of the week. Uh, you can gimme your email and I'll send it to you. Wow. Um, thank you so much for city rising.org, for sponsoring the podcast. And Mark Latta shout out.
And thank you so much to the local artist Jennasen for sharing your song. Scared Rabbit with me as the intro song. Thank you so much for listening again, and see you in the next one. Goodbye.
[00:49:10] Sierra Nuckols: Thank you
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