As a way to deepen our engagement with our Donation Station recipients, Farmer Foodshare recently began a series of Community Meals. What better way to build community than by sharing a meal together around the table? Meals can be an expression of welcome and can become a place where community begins. Our vision was a shared table where farmers, market shoppers, other supporters, Donation Station recipients, Farmer Foodshare staff and volunteers were welcome!
Club Nova hosted the first community meal this past Thursday on the front lawn and porch of their Clubhouse in Carrboro. They have been receiving food from The Chapel Hill Farmers' Market Donation Station for the last couple of years and have been one of our most enthusiastic partners - so we were thrilled to co-host this first meal with them.
Their Culinary Director Lauren Hart cooked up a delicious fall soup, along with a tangy parmesan kale salad. This was accompanied by an assortment of bread donated by LOAF and followed by a dessert of small bundt cakes from Big Bundts. It was a lovely evening full of good conversation, new introductions, and amazing food!
Many of the Club Nova members know the absence of fresh food firsthand and expressed such gratitude for the donations received each week. It was a joy to sit at the table with them and hear some of their stories.
“I can’t tell you how much Farmer Foodshare means to us,” said one of the regular members. “Where I live we never get fresh food like this. I’ve tried to talk to them, but we get the same processed food every week. This meal is a big, big treat.”
Thank you to Lauren for cooking. Thank you to the Club Nova members for filling the tables with smiles and thanksgiving. Thank you to the farmers for taking time away from field and harvest to enjoy a meal with the folks you help to feed. Thank you Chapel Hill community for supporting Farmer Foodshare’s mission. We hope this gratitude becomes an extension to the work that we continue to do.
Want to host your own Community Meal? If your organization is interested or you know someone who might be, please let us know!