Jessica believes there is more to food than just nutrition. The social aspect of food is also deeply nourishing, and has a significant impact on people’s wellbeing. Food allows us to connect with people in different ways.
Sharing a meal, whether inviting people into our homes or having a picnic at a park, requires a degree of vulnerability and openness. And yet it also provides an opportunity to break down social barriers, build community, have shared experiences, celebrate others and their achievements, grieve with others in their suffering, and belong.
So many cultures have rich traditions that are steeped in food or sharing a meal. Unfortunately, the power of these traditions is being challenged and undermined by the rise and acceptance of dieting practices. Dieting makes social eating difficult, to say the least. Dieting rules inhibit a person’s ability to eat freely at social gatherings, as they can leave the person feeling guilt over having “indulged”, rather than joy over having experienced the benefits of community. People who follow strict diets might find themselves so preoccupied with what they are can and can’t eat that they can’t focus on meaningful conversations. Worse, they may end up avoiding social events altogether due to fear of breaking their self-imposed diet rules. Therefore, the impact of dieting isn’t merely physical; it can also lead to a loss of meaningful social connection.
Jessica wants to give people an opportunity to develop a healthier relationship with food so that they not only enjoy the health benefits of good nutrition but also the social benefits that flow from connecting with others over food.