Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Shared Meals

[Joyce Cheney (jcheneyjc]

Grace Kim, 
You wrote, “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.” 
How do your cooks handle dietary restrictions (not simply likes and dislikes) 
in terms of extra work and cost? We have members whose diets are vegan, 
vegetarian, gluten free, sugar free, keto, plus folks with allergies to nuts, 
schrooms, shellfish, tomatoes, etc. 
suggestions for handling all those needs? 
Joyce Cheney, Casa Verde Commons

> On Mar 15, 2023, at 11:28 PM, Grace Kim <grace [at] schemataworkshop.com> 
> wrote:
> 
> 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
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