Living communally transformed how I value food, what I eat, and the way in which I eat it.
For two years I lived in a cooperative home with 60 other people in Berkeley, California. Cooperatives- or co-ops-are member-run organizations in which the people who use the organization's services contribute to its management and ownership. There are housing co-ops, grocery co-ops, bike co-ops, credit unions, collective farming and the list goes on! The fundamental idea: we can all benefit if we pull our resources together.
The cost of food was shared among everyone living in my home. We purchased food that reflected our values of sustainability, support of local communities, and healthy food options. We forged relationships with local farmers and bought their seasonal and organic produce. Buying in bulk allowed us to afford nutritious food that aligned with our ideologies. Without sharing, I would not have been able to eat in the same way.
Although I have since moved out of my co-op, I have taken with me a deeper appreciation and understanding of the power of community in healthy eating. My response to cooperative eating in Chicago: potlucks! Potlucks allow for cultural sharing of food, while giving more possibilities of nutritious items on your plate. Last week I taught at Washington Irving Elementary where the parents and staff had organized a potluck to celebrate the cultural food of their community members. What better way to save money and to eat well than by sharing it with the people you love?
