Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Meal Tracking Programs

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

On Apr 3, 2014, at 1:39 PM, Diana Carroll <dianaecarroll [at] gmail.com> wrote:

> Okay, I thought from what Ann said that you were either signed up for the
> whole rotation or you weren't, and that money didn't change hands because
> everyone in the rotation cooked one time and paid for their meals that way.

Most people in the Monday night meals do sign up for the rotation but others if 
there is enough food can attend and pay $4. Better to ask head of time and not 
just show up. If you tell the cooks ahead of time, to my knowledge they include 
you. They might decline if it means cooking a second meal for a vegan perhaps.
> 
> If there's an individual meal sign up then...doesn't that mean the same
> logistical difficulties the rest of us encounter, requiring spread sheets,
> etc?

Even if people are signed up for the rotation, they may not be eating. Or may 
need a late plate. The cooks need to know. I've seen the cooks consulting the 
meal sign ups when preparing meals so there is something there.

Meals are not simple though this one is probably the simplest. Its not 60 
people and it pretty much the same crowd all the time.

> Right. "bring their own meal or don't eat the CH"...that is, they don't
> participate. My point was that a system without individual signups (which
> is what I thought you had based on what Ann said) outright excludes people
> who have erratic schedules or difficult diets.

No one can serve all needs all the time without a fully staffed kitchen and 
pantry. It's unrealistic. We don't have that.

At Christmas I can make the Turkey soup with rice instead of noodles, if I know 
people are coming who can't eat wheat. I can't leave out the turkey or cook two 
soups. Ain't gonna happen. For tacos for which we have big turnout the cook 
makes one meat and one tofu filling.

>  My family would be excluded from the "whole rotation or none" plan by virtue 
> of how few meals are 100% gluten free.

Since the rotation people are fairly standard, they also know the preferences 
and requirements. I'm sure they address them when they can. And menus are 
posted. Many people have  favorites they cook all the time.

The kitchen is not gluten free but people can avoid wheat in particular dishes. 
A serious allergy just couldn't be guaranteed in an uncontrolled environment. 
It can't be hospital clean. It wouldn't be sustainable in terms of time.

Sharon
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Sharon Villines, Washington DC
We don't need better management. We need better self-organization.