Hope Through Food

I am often called the “baby stealer” by Emily, one of our sales associates. I truly enjoy and love to connect with children. So, it’s second nature for me to offer to take a baby off the hands of one of our guests. When Janea and I sat down to plan events for 2009, naturally I wanted to do more events centered on our youngest and littlest guests!

Coming off the success of our apple cider and cookie decorating events, we really wanted to make the next one special and engaging (photo link). We stumbled around a bit trying to figure out how to celebrate the Inauguration of President-elect Obama, Martin Luther King Junior Day and tie that in to food with children. Of course the beautiful and always timely idea of HOPE came into the conversation.

No matter what your ethnicity or tradition, a meal shared with loved ones is a blessing. Throughout history, families have communed and developed bonds through shared meals together. In times of slavery, times of war and times of poverty, preparing and eating a meal together provided the hope and the glue when many other things were falling apart. Whether the meal is bountiful or meager, a meal shared has always provided a feeling of togetherness, soulful nourishment and, hope that times will be better. Hope through food has emerged as a theme for our next Children’s event on Sunday, January 18th.
Please join us as we discover the First African-American cookbook, “What Mrs. Fisher Knows about Old Southern Cooking”, circa 1881. Mrs. Fisher, a former slave, had been steeped in the best traditions of Southern American cookery and was well respected in her day. She was awarded various medals and diplomas in fairs in California, where she had relocated after the Civil War. While by her own admission, she was not able to read or write, it is a testament to her prominence and respect within her community that an ad hoc committee of 9 highly regarded residents helped her document this lovely cookbook. It should also be noted that the cookbook was published through a Women’s Cooperative Printing Office, this 40 years before women won the right to vote! Talk about Hope through Food!

The passage into our Hope through Food event will cost you and your child a donation to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Our barrel will be marked and ready at the front door! Once onto our Mercantile Freedom Trail, we will be cooking (and tasting!) Hoe Cakes & Ginger Cookies, coloring pages of past and present peace maker Presidents and of course, drinking Sweet Tea! Save the date: Sunday, January 18th, 1:00 PM.
We invite children of all ages to join us as we celebrate a very hopeful time in our country’s history with the Inauguration of our 44th President Barack Obama and as we explore the ageless idea of hope through food.

As always, I invite you to look up a family recipe, prepare it with a little patience and kindness, and call your family and friends to the table with love. That’s a recipe for a good time any day!
We look forward to seeing you in the shop.

Love and light, Gloria Limanni