As Tupperware parties were an excellent way for neighbors to gather and learn about future-aged plastic food storage containers, our neighborhood food parties invite neighbors to gather for an evening of fun and education about the local food system.
Goals:
- To educate neighbors and social networks across the city about local food options in Long Beach
- To provide resourceful information about alternative food procurement strategies
- To connect local food businesses and social programs with target audience
What We Need:
- Graphic Artist to collaborate on with the documents and design of the food party materials
- Educator to help digest the curriculum for the food parties
- Neighbors who want to host a party in their home or community center
- We need a “Speaker’s Bureau” of individuals in the food system willing to attend these meetings and help tell the story of the food system
Status:
- 3/19/2014 Rick Berry came up with the idea of a food-sharing information kit at our Eaters Meeting
- 5/18/2014 Long Beach Fresh Intern, Michelle Azurin, will work with local artist Katie Phillips and local maker David Hedden to develop a graphical zine “Neighborhood Food Party in a Box” kit. It would be great to develop a “Drip Campaign” where neighbors can commit to meeting up to several times to work through a core curriculum of developing good food practices and habits.
- 6/10/2015 Met with David Hedden and Katie Phillips about gamification ideas and fun activities for the “Food Party in a Box.”
- 6/12/2015 Began research on “Transition Towns” and how we could use that as a model for a series of neighborhood food parties.
- 6/22/2015 Met with LB Latinos in Action about ideas for the “Food Party in a Box” and what types of activities and educational materials would be culturally appropriate.
- 7/15/2015 Collaborated with BHC, Michelle English from the Long Beach Time Exchange, and the United Cambodian Community to facilitate the first of a series of nutrition workshops for Khmer Elders.
- 7/28/2015 Drafted a deck to share with local organizations, neighborhood groups, growers, chefs, nutritionists, and knowledgeable residents to use and expand the collaboration with BHC, LBTE, and UCC as a model for the Food Party in a Box program.
- 7/29/2015 Helped to host the second nutrition workshop at UCC with Michelle English from LBTE and BHC.
Get Involved:
Contact us if you’re interested in helping with this project.