🍜 Prison Ramen (and other cool things)
Happy Friday!
Here are 5 things that I am finding interesting, inspiring and just plain cool this week…
😱 Friday the 13th
Today is Friday the 13th (in October!!!) And this got me wondering about the history of Friday the 13th and its relationship to food. After all, you should never have 13 guests at a dinner table (apparently) or ☠️. And some folks try to combat the unluckiness of the day with . . . you guessed it: lucky food!
🍜 Prison Ramen
“You can make something out of nothing depending on what ingredients you have to give.” People generally don’t like to think deeply about incarceration (it’s uncomfy 😬), and when we do it is in the context of the larger picture. “The problem with mass incarceration,” “tough on crime,” whatever. Honestly, I think when most people start truly thinking about an individual’s experience behind bars it just makes them utterly horrified. BUT Goose Alvarez uses food to explore individual stories and how incarcerated folks make dishes that satiate and have personal significance.
🗑️ If Composting Can Make it There…
NYC is set to be the largest city to start a mandatory composting program to help divert food waste from landfills. I’m fascinated by the initiative - How do you get such a large and diverse population invested in composting (other than just living with the threat of fines)? ♻️ What sort of broader impact could this have on the environment? Could this work in Denver?
If composting can make it there, it can make it anywhere.” 🗽
🍎 An Irish Apple Myth
From MFC's very first program waaaay back in pandemic days. Cozy up with this 9-minute video with Tonja Reichley, myth-keeper, storyteller, herbalist, and author, who shares an ancient Irish myth starring APPLES.
🥧 Mountain Day
One of my favorite traditions left over from undergrad is this weekend (as decided by me!) At Smith College, we celebrated Mountain Day - a day dedicated to all things fall! 🍂
On the most picturesque fall day, the president would ring the college bells and classes would be canceled. Students were supposed to take the opportunity to hike, go apple picking, have a picnic, wear flannel, and do other fall activities. A surprise holiday! 🥳
For me, fall is a difficult time of the year. The days are getting shorter, everything is cold, and my allergies are acting up… (Where, oh where, are my 🌸 beautiful spring days?) But this tradition became one of the things that I actually look forward to with the changing of the seasons. Truthfully, I can get on board with any holiday that involves lots of food, especially apple baked goods.
This Sunday, I am taking the day off work and celebrating with my family. We plan to go hiking, bake some apple pie-lets, and wrap up the day with a spooky dinner and movie! ⛰️🍎👻
What are YOUR favorite fall traditions?
And friend, if you liked this email, please help us spread the word by forwarding it to a friend!
Stay curious, stay inspired!
Rachel
The Museum of Food and Culture is entirely volunteer-run and we couldn’t do it without you. Together, we are building a community in which food is the bridge between history, cultures, and individual stories. We appreciate your support!
Upcoming MFC events
NEXT WEEK - Th. 10/19 @ 5:30pm - Draw and Paint Korean Snacks with Connor Choi
*FREE* Sa. 11/11 @ 1pm - Taste of Culture, the Power of Language (Burmese Cuisine) @ DPL Ross University Hills Branch
Th. 11/16 @ 5:30pm - Sewing Wine Bags with Vicky Nolan
Sa. 12/2 @ 1pm - Taste of Culture, the Power of Language @ DPL Park Hill Branch- coming soon
Th. 12/21 @ 5:30pm - Collaging Holiday Food Stories with Deb Rosenbaum - registration opens 11/7
… and more on The Round Table!