What’s there not to like about food? It nutures the soul and the body. It’s also a great communication tool.
Friends and family gather around meals. Successful community events are highlighted by food. New friends love to discuss what their favourite treats are. Food is an easy way to connect to an audience.
While living in Brooks, Alberta, I met new people through a cultural community potluck which was hosted by Medicine Hat College’s Brooks Campus. At the time, Brooks was attracting immigrants to work at Lakeside Packers and the potluck was a way to learn about different cultures. Food broke a communication barrier in a town that was not used to the influx of cultural newcomers. Once the community meals ended, a circle of friends continued hosting their own cultural potlucks.
When I moved to Nanton, Alberta, I discovered the benefits of a community kitchen. At the time I was a new mother and the kitchen was an opportunity to meet other mothers, share ideas and have ready-made meals to throw in our freezers.
Edmonton has great resources around food. I belong to a community kitchen which is organized by the Mill Woods Family Resource Centre and to the Wecan Food Basket Society, a local food co-operative. The community kitchen meets once a month and we’ve been using The Big Cook for our recipes. Through Wecan Food, I receive a good selection of meat, vegetables and fruit for $20 a month. Membership is $5 a year.
A foodie community has also built up on the Internet through blogs and websites. If you are looking to learn about what Edmonton has to offer, check out Sharon Yeo’s Only Here for the Food or Gail Hall’s Seasoned Solutions as a start.
Fusedlogic is connecting Edmontonians through a food bank challenge. Take a photo of your food bank donation and post it on fusedlogic’s food bank challenge Facebook group.
As you can see, there are very easy methods to make the connection between food, community and communication. If you’re looking to break down a communication barrier, why not use food as an excuse?
Hi Tamara
Remember me? Think about communications, now.
I was surfing on ‘community kitchens’ and found your site.
I think Western Canadians know well the power of food, not only to nourish our bodies, but nurture our souls and our communities. But I think community gatherings around food is not as common as it once was. Were all working
, we\’re all rushing to soccer practice, and Tim\’s on the way.
When I was your age, no-one moved into a community without soon hearing a knock on the door, and opening it to a neighbour\’s smile, and a pie.
I’m thinking of how community kitchens would work just for seniors. Those living independently, not in dedicated senior’s residences. Hmmm.
SS