Last semester I started cooking there for their Thursday lunches. The Wesley has a free/donation lunch for whoever wants to come (mostly TCU students attend) every Thursday from 11:30am to 1:30pm. You can eat for free or donate a few bucks which is always welcomed of course. Anywhere from a handful to 20 people show up. There's some regulars and floaters, and we love everyone as family. Which doesn't mean we all get along or agree. It's a real community with real discussion on real things.
My personal moral moves me to try to purchase local (minimally US, preferably Texas grown) and/or organic for the meal. I never buy from Wal-mart. In the beginning I bought from Kroger because it was close, but half-way through the semester I tried to rely on Sprouts, which isn't a local company, but has more to offer on organics and US Grown produce.
Personally, I am called to be a vegetarian for several reasons, the top reason being the effect on the environment. Many say that being vegetarian (even better, vegan) has a more positive effect on the environment than not driving a car.
I also like eating with the seasons. Instead of fighting against what the earth is more willing to provide, eating what is in season is a focus in my personal home-stock as well as with the meals at the Wesley.
Working with all of these concepts, their new Community Garden, and more- we are officially calling the mealtime Sustainable Table. We want to create an intentional community surrounding sustainability in all aspects of life.
I'm really excited to plan, prepare, and serve these meals. It is certainly a challenge! I have a budget where the average meal does not cost more than two or three bucks. Believe it or not, it's possible!
Here's a pic of the first Sustainable Table meal! I am going to start making pie charts of each meal to show exactly what is what. This meal included about 1/3 of each Local/Texas, Organic, and Neither. The goal of course is at least all local and/or organic. We'll see how I do this Thursday! Tomorrow is shopping day.
