welcome to the Age of Aquarius — Pluto officially shifted from the sign of Capricorn to Aquarius in 2024, and will stay fixed until 2043. I started getting into astrology back in 2015, before the rise of astrology apps and zodiac memes.

it was my senior year in undergrad, and my course load was well over full. I am an Aries by the way. like most college students, I was longing for a deeper sense of self-discovery and, instead of turning to religion, I found astrology.

the Age of Aquarius is spelled out by astrologers as a time of societal upheaval and systemic change, the decaying of structures that refuse to adhere to the Aquarians’ utopian dream.

in a previously published post, I noted that major changes in peoples’ dietary pattern in the U.S. tended to occur alongside spiritual and revivalist movements. first, in the 1830s before the Civil War, and then, again, in the 1970s following the Civil Rights Movement. this would be a third wave.

in early April, a bilateral piece of legislation was introduced to make amendments to the 1946 Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. under the Freedom in School Cafeterias and Lunches Act (FISCAL), the definition of “milk” would expand to include non-dairy options such as soy milk.[1]

one of the proposers of the bill, Sen. Cory Booker, cited that “most of this nation’s children of color are lactose intolerant, and yet our school lunch program policy makes it difficult for these kids to access a nutritious fluid beverage that doesn’t make them sick.”[2]

currently, only dairy milk is offered in school lunchrooms, but the FISCAL Act could lead to a host of other potential modifications, altering American kids’ [both private non-profit and public school] dietary pattern, and their relationship to food.

particularly, as the U.S.’ population demographic increasingly becomes more black and brown, organizations such as FoodCorps are advocating for the inclusion of “culturally appropriate” prepared foods in school cafeterias.

regardless if the legislation is adopted, there is a culinary revolution of sorts happening, and you have to look no further than social media to bear witness.

online food bloggers and influencers, which Americans comprise 43%[3], are adding more curry dishes, Mediterranean bowls, and [vegan] shawarma platters to their weekly repertoire to share with their following.

and, the term ‘charcuterie’ is now part of every Americans’ lexicon, irrespective of class. it’s part of a larger cultural battle being waged in kitchens nationwide.

in addition to the FISCAL Act, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently working to revoke the authorization of certain dyes and chemicals in the nation’s food supply.[4]

there is no denying that the Age of Aquarius is ushering in major changes to Americans’ relationship to food, which may be permanent. the landscape of inclusive food offerings has already made its way into the commercial food sector.

restaurants, fast-food chains, grocery stores—and even the rise of ghost kitchens and food trucks—are accommodating everyone’s dietary, and tastebud, needs, from the vegan to the gluten-free.

anyways, I hope this is meaningful.

love & madness,

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[1] https://thehill.com/homenews/education/5228810-bipartisan-senators-school-lunch-milk/

[2] https://thehill.com/homenews/education/5228810-bipartisan-senators-school-lunch-milk/

[3] Scott, Samantha. “40+ Global Food Influencers to Inspire You.” Meltwater, February 28, 2024. https://www.meltwater.com/en/blog/food-influencers.

[4] https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-revoke-authorization-use-red-no-3-food-and-ingested-drugs