“Being holy makes you hungry,” said Rev. Dr. Heber Brown III, capturing how food connects us after church services. Eating together nourishes not just our bodies but also our spirits.
Dr. Brown spoke at the Do Good. Better. Conference on March 13, hosted by the BYU Ballard Center for Social Impact. He was honored as the 2025 Social Innovator of the Year and awarded $10,000 to support his work on food security in Black communities. Ten years ago, he founded the Black Church Food Security Network, which collaborates with Black churches, farmers, and organizations to create sustainable food systems.
When Dr. Brown became the pastor of Pleasant Hope Baptist Church in Baltimore at just 28, he noticed a worrying trend among his congregation. Many members faced health issues tied to a lack of access to healthy food. This realization, driven by love for his community, pushed him to seek solutions.
Initially, he tried to partner with a local grocery store for food donations, but that fell through. Frustrated, he returned to his church, feeling defeated. Suddenly, he felt inspired to look outside and noticed a small patch of land. “Roll up your sleeves and grow it yourself,” he sensed God telling him.
With a 1,500-square-foot garden, his church produced 1,200 pounds of fresh food, which went to meals at the church and to those unable to attend services. Dr. Brown learned a vital lesson: they already had resources. The key was to engage other churches, encouraging them to contribute in various ways—growing food, transporting it, or offering cooking classes.
Sometimes, all it takes is a small group of determined individuals to make a difference. Dr. Brown believed that if each Black church focused on food security, together they could tackle bigger issues. During this year’s conference, the focus was on hunger, part of a two-year initiative spearheaded by the Ballard Center.
Barron Segar, president of World Food Program USA, pointed out that today, conflict is the leading cause of hunger, disproportionately affecting women and children. At the same time, Sharon Eubank from Latter-day Saint Charities emphasized the importance of community action. “You are more powerful than you realize,” she said, urging people to tackle hunger in their own neighborhoods.
What excites people about community efforts aligns with Dr. Brown’s message: use the resources you have. The Ballard Center stresses the importance of “loving the problem” to find effective solutions. During the conference, Dr. Brown shared that staying curious is crucial. Idealizing expertise can blind us to new insights.
Dr. Brown looked into the past and discovered earlier figures in the Black community who addressed food insecurity. Leaders like Father and Mother Divine during the Great Depression set up food supply chains to help people in need. He also mentioned Rev. Dr. Vernon Johns, whose creative methods linked Black farmers and churches, providing food directly to his congregation.
Building on this historical foundation, Dr. Brown’s network now includes nearly 250 Black churches across the nation, with initiatives ranging from orchards in Florida to farmers markets and church gardens.
Eventually, Dr. Brown received another message from God: “It’s wonderful to point out what is wrong, but also make sure to dedicate energy to build what’s right.” He encouraged the audience with a powerful reminder: “Critique what is. Create what should be.”
For more insights on food security issues, you can check reports from Feeding America and other reliable sources.
Check out this related article: Join the Movement: How Bryan Food Pantry’s New Facility is Transforming Lives and Urgently Needs Volunteers!
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