Reasoning & Evidence
Being able to meaningfully connect with others over food involves having the space, expertise, design, and equipment to be able to do so. For example, in the context of the workplace, 69% of respondents in a 2022 survey of both blue-collar and white-collar employees indicated that it was important to them to have somewhere to socialize with colleagues over food.(101) While many coffee shops and other retail food environments are transitioning to offering only pick-up or delivery, research shows that these eateries serve as grounds for social connection, particularly among older adults.(102) Assisted living facilities should also be built with communal dining spaces, ensuring that older adults continue to have opportunities to connect with each other over food. Whether it be in residential buildings, university campuses, or public spaces, simple elements like barbecuing areas, picnic tables, and weather protection can help enhance a social eating experience. See the Foundation’s report on the built environment for more information.
Examples of Community Implementation
Edible Schoolyard Project (national): Whether it be through gardens, kitchens, or cafeterias, schools have great potential to foster connections of all kinds through food. The Edible Schoolyard Project advocates for and supports edible education, which involves hands-on experiences in gardening, cooking, and other activities that shape students’ understanding of our food systems. Edible education brings together students, teachers, farmers, and other groups in support of deepening our relationships both with food and with each other.
Atlanta, Georgia: Piedmont Park is a prime example of how parks serve as platforms for many of the strategies identified in this report. Through a weekly market, the annual Piedmont Food Fest, and a community garden, the park enables a wide variety of opportunities for community members to connect through food.
Reference: The SOCIAL Framework Report: Food and Nutrition Sector