Food for Thought - How Communities Strengthen Through Shared Meals
Maybe this is a sign to stop worrying about that one uncle who is on the wrong side of history and give dinner parties another chance.
Greek philosopher Hippocrates once said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Perhaps he was one of the earliest thinkers to acknowledge the healing effects of sharing a meal with the community.
Shared meals are often the hallmark of the holiday season and a key feature across many social gatherings, especially events hosted by universities to draw out students and help them form a connection to their surroundings.
Often termed as the ‘loneliest generation’, a rise in gatherings over food is proving to be the salvation of Gen Z. Research conducted by the University of Oxford reveals a direct correlation between people eating with company, and feeling happier and more satisfied in life. 76 per cent of the participants agreed that “sharing a meal was a good way to bring people closer together.”
Hart House “five-buck lunch”
Shared meals do not always have to break your bank and neither is it necessary to have a friend group as big as the F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Hart House at University of Toronto, St.George hosts monthly lunches for just $5 for UofT students and $10 for non-students, featuring a proper meal including salads and mouth-watering mains.
For their ‘5-buck lunch’ in November 2024, they offered mixed greens with pomegranate and citrus vinaigrette, chickpea, spinach and pineapple curry and steamed basmati rice. For an additional $2, attendees could also add a dessert or beverage to round out their meal.
Students at the five-buck lunch hosted by Hart House each month. Photo via Hart House Instagram.
Hart House has launched its 2025 menu for the five-buck lunch, featuring appealing options like stir fry tofu, bok choy and vegan irish stew for the upcoming year. Their menu consists of diverse food options that reflecting the student community on-campus.
Numebo, a blog that calculates the cost of living in Toronto, reports that an average meal at an inexpensive restaurant can cost $25.62. In this era of inflation, the five-buck lunch serves as an ideal alternative to students at UofT. Additionally, it can be the perfect opportunity to rekindle friendships lost after frosh week, providing you with an opportunity to find new friends and connect with your peers beyond lecture rooms.
Seasonal feasts at UTSC
Beyond sharing meals together, Algonquin College discusses innovative ways played by food that facilitate friendships. Exchanging favourite recipes, hosting quintessential zoom dinners for long-distance company, and trying out foods suggested by friends can serve as a talking point for many. These trends seem to be the highlight of many events hosted by University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC).
In October 2024, the International Student Centre successfully hosted a halloween themed event filled with cookies, snacks, baked goods and multiple tables featuring activities for the students to bond over. The event featured inflatables, pumpkin decorating, and thoughtful conversations for first year students, acting as the perfect downtime activity between classes.
UTSC student experience collaborated with MOVEU – a tri-campus initiative to promote healthier lifestyle and help students meet their nutrition goals – to host a cooking competition called Chopped Up in November 2024. Students gathered in the residence centre to engage in an unconventional food fight, whipping up smoothies and sandwiches for the judges.
Instagram posts showcase an array of students focused on making the best possible sandwiches, engaging in jokes and overall fostering a sense of community by getting together. The hosts brought a fun twist by using Kahoot to assign ingredients, combining the spirit of competition with a happy belly at the end.
Pumpkin decorating activity at a crafts table for Halloween celebrations at University of Toronto Scarborough. Photo By (Vyusti Shroff//The Underground)
Social Media Soirées
Social media has been an inspirational factor for many people to start hosting dinners of their own. BuzzFeed reporter Steffi Cao writes about her experiences of hosting dinner parties inspired by influencers. She credits her family for helping her set up a ‘pinterest-worthy’ table decor and floral arrangements that brought them all closer together.
Influencers are front runners when it comes to trends and any excuse to throw a fancy soirée. Forbes reports a 44 per cent increase in “themed dinner party” searches on Pinterest during the summer of 2024.
Isabelle Heikens, a digital creator based in Toronto with 248k followers on Instagram has started her own series titled Dinner at Isabelle’s where she gathers her group of friends and organizes a lavish dinner party with unique themes each month. The dinner consists of an elaborate spread, cocktails, and ends with a mouthwatering dessert.
Her tomato themed party was viewed over 1.3 million times and the videos highlight moments of joy that are centered around the food including occasional leftover bags for her attendees.
If you’re feeling inspired, maybe this is a sign to stop worrying about that one uncle who is on the wrong side of history and give dinner parties another chance.
