New Groups Forming This Fall!

The goal of this program is for you to prepare a dish and swap portions with others in your group, so you have a greater variety of home-cooked meals to enjoy throughout the week. This program will give you the opportunity to try out new recipes, share food with friends, and cook less often while still enjoying home-cooked meals.

Notes:

• Prior to COVID 19, we suggested that groups meet to swap dishes, but not necessarily eat together. Currently, if your group chooses to dine together, please maintain safe physical distancing!
• We are also asking that all participants read the following handout prior to starting: How to Share Food Safely During the Pandemic.
  • These are general guidelines.  They are not specific to the “Prepare & Share” program.

 

Here’s How It Works

1. Provide us with your name, contact info, your dietary preferences, and availability for meal swapping. 

• To sign up, click here.

2. Await your group assignments.

• We will compile the info from all those who’ve signed up and assign groups based on eating preferences and availability.
• Prior to COVID 19, we aimed for 3-6 people per group.
• As an extra precaution this summer, we have made the groups smaller.  We have assigned family units (individuals, couples, couples with children) to one other family unit of (hopefully) similar size.
  • This will reduce the number of new dishes that you will get to experience each week, but, again, we are being extra cautious.
  • We will continue to monitor the CDC guidelines and will revisit and revise this policy when we feel it is safe to do so.  

3. Attend the short orientation (TBA).  We will send out an invite!

• This gives you the opportunity to meet your groupmates and discuss the details (we will keep it short and sweet!) of your meal swap.
• HSHC will provide a questionnaire to help ensure you’ve thought everything through.
  • For example: the day/time your swap will occur, location of swap, ideal form of communication, designate a group leader, number of portions, containers and utensils required and who will bring them, dietary preferences, and any other recipe-related considerations you’d like your group to observe.

4. Start cooking!

• In preparation for your first meal swap, you’ll make the agreed-upon number of portions.
• Bring your prepared and prepacked dishes (hopefully in reusable containers).
• Swap (maintaining proper physical distancing) and enjoy!

5. Establish ongoing group communication.

• This will allow your group to share favorite recipes, feedback, and plans for the next week’s swaps.

Additional Things To Consider

• Items should be appropriate for lunch or dinner, unless otherwise agreed upon by all group members. (If the group wants to change it up, consider doing one week of baked goods or healthy snacks!)

• If a group would like nutritional insight or help with recipe ideas, please let us know. We are happy to share information and help brainstorm!

• Be prepared to let your group-mates know what you’re making ahead of time. This will ensure that there are no duplicate meals and that people know what containers to bring.

• Once groups are formed, the members will decide whatever works for them. As long as everyone is in agreement and everyone receives equal food, a group can determine the what, when, where, how, and how much for their own swap.

• Don’t be afraid to be generous in the amounts that you prepare. Consider doubling what you would normally make to ensure there is a meal-size portion for everyone in the group.

• Consider discussing budgets with your group. This may or may not be a noteworthy to group members, so we encourage open dialogue about how to respect everyone’s wallets and time.

• We all know life happens! If the group is at risk of falling apart, but one of the family units still wants to be active, please let us know so we can potentially find another family unit with whom they can share.

 

Is transportation for grocery shopping an issue for you or do you need to borrow cooking equipment? 

HSHC would like to help.  Contact us and we will look to connect you with others in the CTS community.

 

Contact Us

Would you like to learn more about our activities around CTS or have some ideas that would contribute to the overall health of the seminary community? Contact Karen Webster by e-mail, phone/text (470) 228-1682, and/or set up a time to meet with us (online or perhaps outside if the weather is good). We would love to speak with you!