How Food Contributes To A Sense Of Community
The connection between food and community is indisputable.
If we think of a community as a group of individuals who share common interests; it can be as intimate as a family unit or as large and diverse as a religious or cultural group.
Whether small or large, communities throughout the world use food as a way to socialize, celebrate, nourish, mourn and create a sense of security and belonging.
Sharing food and offering hospitality to others is extremely important in most cultures.
Cultural and religious celebrations feature food as an integral part of those occasions.
Although the food itself and eating customs vary greatly, what matters more is the shared experience.
Consider China, where morsels of food are taken from communal dishes (usually served up at a round table with a lazy susan in the center); and how different this is from everyone having their separate plate of food, as is the Western style.
While these differences in style are significant, social camaraderie and connectedness are engendered by both.
The key similarity, and most significant factor, is the social benefit and sense of community engendered when people are eating together.
If we accept the premise that creating a sense of community through cuisine is more about sharing the food than the food practices or styles, then let's look at some benefits.
A quick review of articles on the internet produces lots of information about the benefits to families who eat dinner together most evenings.
They have better overall nutrition because complete meals prepared at home are generally healthier.
The children experience fewer social problems which may be attributable to more opportunities for socialization and support.
Interestingly, UNICEF uses frequency of communal meals as an important indicator of family well being among developed countries worldwide.
The cuisine of a culture helps keep customs and traditions alive and is a vehicle to share these customs with others.
In our increasingly global society, opportunities abound to experience the food and food practices of other ethnic groups.
And in doing so we may attain a better appreciation of not only differences but of commonalities.
One inspiring project that seeks to foster a sense of community through sharing food is Chefs for Peace.
This non-profit organization was founded in 2001 and operates out of Jerusalem.
The group is made up of Muslim, Jewish and Christian chefs who believe that greater tolerance and understanding is possible through the shared experience of cuisine.
They have no political agenda and have prepared banquets together for groups all over the world.
In spite of the enormous range of cuisines and food styles across ethnic groups and cultures, all sustain and strengthen their communities through food.
As James Beard said: "Food is our common ground, a universal experience.
"
If we think of a community as a group of individuals who share common interests; it can be as intimate as a family unit or as large and diverse as a religious or cultural group.
Whether small or large, communities throughout the world use food as a way to socialize, celebrate, nourish, mourn and create a sense of security and belonging.
Sharing food and offering hospitality to others is extremely important in most cultures.
Cultural and religious celebrations feature food as an integral part of those occasions.
Although the food itself and eating customs vary greatly, what matters more is the shared experience.
Consider China, where morsels of food are taken from communal dishes (usually served up at a round table with a lazy susan in the center); and how different this is from everyone having their separate plate of food, as is the Western style.
While these differences in style are significant, social camaraderie and connectedness are engendered by both.
The key similarity, and most significant factor, is the social benefit and sense of community engendered when people are eating together.
If we accept the premise that creating a sense of community through cuisine is more about sharing the food than the food practices or styles, then let's look at some benefits.
A quick review of articles on the internet produces lots of information about the benefits to families who eat dinner together most evenings.
They have better overall nutrition because complete meals prepared at home are generally healthier.
The children experience fewer social problems which may be attributable to more opportunities for socialization and support.
Interestingly, UNICEF uses frequency of communal meals as an important indicator of family well being among developed countries worldwide.
The cuisine of a culture helps keep customs and traditions alive and is a vehicle to share these customs with others.
In our increasingly global society, opportunities abound to experience the food and food practices of other ethnic groups.
And in doing so we may attain a better appreciation of not only differences but of commonalities.
One inspiring project that seeks to foster a sense of community through sharing food is Chefs for Peace.
This non-profit organization was founded in 2001 and operates out of Jerusalem.
The group is made up of Muslim, Jewish and Christian chefs who believe that greater tolerance and understanding is possible through the shared experience of cuisine.
They have no political agenda and have prepared banquets together for groups all over the world.
In spite of the enormous range of cuisines and food styles across ethnic groups and cultures, all sustain and strengthen their communities through food.
As James Beard said: "Food is our common ground, a universal experience.
"
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