Chris Bedford – A True Food Advocate, An Untimely Passing
It is with great sadness and a certain amount of disbelief that we report the untimely passing of Chris Bedford, a staunch and true advocate for local food and sustainable agriculture, a prolific and eloquent activist and writer, and a talented filmmaker who shared many important stories about the people and issues that made up the local food movement.
Chris’ work – both his writings and his films have been featured on this website a number of times over the years. I urge all of you to look at his work on previous Beginning Farmers Posts:
https://www.beginningfarmers.org/fantastic-free-food-and-farming-films/
https://www.beginningfarmers.org/guest-article-on-the-agribusiness-pushback-against-local-food/
and elsewhere:
https://vimeo.com/23259917; https://www.youtube.com/user/Christhefilmmaker
You can see a great writeup about Chris on the SweetWater Good Food News Page at: https://sweetwaterlocalfoodsmarket.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/christopher-b-bedford-april-25-1944-june-15-2011/; and an MLive article which talks about his life at: https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/06/organic_farmer_environmental_a.html
You can also hear a short (10 min) sermon Chris delivered at the 1st Congregational Church (UCC) in Cadillac, MI. Despite being short Chris said: “…it captures where I think we are as a state and as a food community.” You can listen to it at… https://www.firstcongcadillac.org/uploads/4/4/6/2/4462311/getting_real_about_food_and_the_future_-_chris_bedford_-_may_1_2011.mp3
Chris was an intelligent and fearless fighter for food and farm justice. His loss will be felt tangibly by both those of us who knew him, and by the movement for a more equitable, and sustainable food system. Chris was one of the most fearless, committed, and genuinely caring people I have ever met. His passing is both heartbreaking and shocking. But he leaves behind a legacy that is both prolific and profound. I urge all of you to explore it, in the hope that we can learn from his passion, and celebrate the things he has left behind.
He will be dearly missed.
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Chris was active in Texas where he worked with myself and other organizations such as Texans United to fight big business polluters and the enemies of organized labor. These included Exxon, ARCO, Formosa Plastics and others. His cameras and documentaries were his weapons and he used them effectively. He was one of the good guys, and its good to know he went on to fight the good fight on other fronts. He’ll be missed.
Rick,
Thanks for sharing. I had no idea about this part of his history. He truly was a passionate and effective organizer, and I will miss him too.
Chris was an amazing force in the world. Our little corner of that world, West Michigan, grieves his loss but celebrates his Life. We are fortunate he graced us with his presence these last few years and are thankful for the change he was instrumental in creating here in our community. He opened eyes, brought people together, encouraged action, fostered hope.
He is missed.
Lisa,
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