There are a lot of reasons I’m passionate about food. One of the main ones is that if we begin talking about food, before long we might be talking about hunger or social class or farming or animal rights or something I’ve never even heard of. In other words, food is a delicious way to expand our consciousnesses.  

Or, as CKUVM coordinator Sarah Heim simply said: “A meal isn’t just about a meal, it’s more than that.”

University of Vermont’s recent Food Summit, driven by Campus Kitchen co-founder Kate Turcotte, was an expansive sort of occasion. It was the work of classes and clubs and co-ops and community gardens; from local projects like Intervale Farm to national movements like the Real Food Challenge.

For CKUVM, it was a chance to attract new interest in CKUVM from students who see food issues from a different lens. “We might hook you in with food,” said Sarah, “and from there we can make the hunger connection.”

The hook was definitely food at the Battle of the Campus Chefs, where CKUVM’s team got beat by Student for True Animal Rights, who baked an almond cake with chocolate ganache frosting. (They made the chocolate themselves!) Working with other campus groups also meant they had a great turnout–about 200 people, which meant about $500 for CKUVM.

The next battle for CKUVM will be bringing those young farmers and chefs into the Campus Kitchen fold. “It’s a question of how you direct your energy,” said Sarah, referring to student involvement, “but we want to show that interest in food can also mean giving back to your community.”

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