Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Dietary preferences/restrictions/aversions/allergies

[R Philip Dowds (rpdowds]

Like most cohos, Cornerstone is a mix of carnivores (about 70%) and vegetarians 
(about 30%); as is typical, most carnivores are in fact omnivores, and will 
cheerfully eat a vegetarian meal.  The common meal menu is chef’s choice.  Most 
of the time, the choice is vegetarian, OR carnivore plus a vegetarian 
alternative.  We have recently acquired some vegan members, so we are trending 
toward more vegan dishes, or vegan plus optional additives, like cheese on the 
side.  A few of our members have food allergies, so we are usually careful 
about listing ingredients; it’s uncommon, however, to design meals and menus 
around exclusions of cheese, nuts, eggs, etc.  Occasionally, the meal is 
carnivore only, although this seems to be increasingly rare.  Summer outdoor 
grilling tilts toward heavy carnivore, since we’ve not yet found a good recipe 
for grilled tofu.

So how does it work, really?  The general theory is in two parts:  (1) It 
doesn't seem right to always design the menu around minority preferences, or 
the least common denominator.  And (2) If you won’t eat it, don’t come; the 
next meal will probably be better for you, and you can come to that one.  Or, 
if you can’t eat cheesecake, bring your own dessert.  Some parents bring their 
kids AND special meals for the kids, since kids are usually the fussiest eaters 
in the room.

Meal participation is both high and diverse.  We never hear any complaints 
like, Gee, it’s been a month since you served something I can eat.

Thanks,
Philip Dowds
Cornerstone Village Cohousing
Cambridge, MA

> On Apr 2, 2016, at 11:09 AM, DLS via Cohousing-L <cohousing-l [at] 
> cohousing.org> wrote:
> 
> As Gainesville CoHousing moves closer to breaking ground (yay!) and as we 
> have weekly pot-luck meals together at our meetings, we have become aware of 
> the fact that we have several vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free members. 
> 
> How have other groups identified the dietary needs in their community so that 
> common meals work? We are considering some sort of questionnaire, but there 
> are SO many possible questions!
> All ideas welcome!
> Lynne SalzburgCommon House CommitteeGainesville CoHousing
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