For Our Amazing Volunteers: A Potluck & An Appreciation

Brainfood, it seems, always starts and ends with circles.  On the first day of class, new Brainfood students take turns sharing their name, school, and favorite food, and after a full year of cooking and learning in our kitchens, we ask them to circle up for one final round of reflecting on what they’ll miss most about program.  Our weekly classroom assistants, too, first join us at orientation and circle up to hear more about what we do and what it means to be a part of the Brainfood community.  It was only fitting that last night, we honored our amazing classroom assistants with one last appreciation circle in the Youth Garden -- our way of thanking them for helping our classrooms and kitchens run each day.

Though the start of summer made for a balmy evening, the cheerful conversation, herbed lemonade, and lush garden surroundings kept us all energized even in the heat.  As you might imagine, our classroom assistants, in addition to being supportive adult mentors, can also throw down in the kitchen.  Our garden potluck featured everything from rosemary shortbread rounds to crunchy ramen slaw to decadent peanut butter fudge brownies.  Even the Brainfood programs team got to show off their kitchen prowess.  We whipped up 4 pizzas, including a chicken pesto pizza (thanks to a stash of pesto from last summer) and a goat cheese strawberry pizza with a balsamic drizzle featuring our newest garden gems.  Staff-made dessert showcased a few more of our favorite things: edible sweet pea blossoms, kale blooms, and borage blossoms topping off a cheesecake with porter chocolate sauce. 

Since we broke ground on the Youth Garden last June, it’s been so much more than a source of produce for our classes.  It’s also a statement of how we want to grow: balancing order and structure with creativity and innovation, and creating a community space that’s welcoming and warm. 

Seeing our most committed volunteers gathered in the garden last night was just one more visual reminder of how lucky we are to have roots that sustain this exciting new growth.  Their patience, humor, kindness, and energy inspire us all year long.  Their dedication to taking a break from being lawyers, researchers, event planners, and international development specialists to support teens in our programs is astounding.  They’ve helped re-emulsify broken sauces and break down tables at the end of special events.  They’ve coached, cheered, and celebrated as our students have grown as cooks and leaders.

Last night, as we stood together as a group and recounted the bright moments of the year and dreamt big about the future, it seemed fitting to be gathered in the garden.  Whether it’s the last slice of lemon floating in a glass or the sun through the curling pea shoots or folks brought together, building community through food, Brainfood starts and ends with circles. 

Deepest thanks to all our volunteers for joining us on the journey to build a stronger food community for teens in D.C.  We’re so honored that you chose to spend your time at Brainfood this year.