Cohousing-L Mailing List: Shared Meals

[Grace Kim (grace]

Zev-
We have a very simple meal program that includes meals every other night except 
for Saturdays (3x week) since we moved in 7 years ago. We took a break for 
Covid, but transitioned to 3-family “bring your own dinners” outdoors even 
through the winter.
Community meals were sorely missed by all (grown ups and kids) and we brought 
them back last summer.

We attribute our success to our simple and inclusive process. Team of 3 
cooks/cleans for each meal. Those teams are on regular rotation that lasts 
about 4-5 months.

The lead cook rotates amongst the 3 on team- and the lead plans the menu, shops 
and pay for ingredients. The only requirement is for the meal to be delicious 
and nutritious for all. This ensures that no one has to weigh the cost of meals 
vs attendance. The lead cook shops within their household budget/means. There 
are no excuses for dietary restrictions/preferences being reason ppl can’t 
attend.

There is a lot of ease, people just show up if they are home or get a late 
plate if they aren’t home. Or if they had rough day get a plate to take home. 
It’s not unusual for kids to come solo if their parents are at mtgs or events 
after work or out of town. We often have guests. No one counts how many came, 
no money changes hands. We figure over the long haul everyone has guests and it 
works out in the end.

A visitor from Australian cohousing who stayed with us for a week said our 
program was brilliant! And we agree.


grace h. kim
schemata workshop 
(sent via mobile messaging)
206.795.2470