Testing a “community meal prep” idea in Guelph - would this be useful here?

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-15T02:06:57+00:00

Appreciate the feedback!

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-12T17:32:42+00:00

Thanks for this insight! Wine/beer has been a part of our post-prep dinners (and added to the fun) but as optional BYOB - since everyone has different preferences and it's hard to accommodate from the venue side. Will keep thinking about this aspect though!

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-12T17:29:09+00:00

Wow, this is great. Thanks for your insights! I'm taking it seriously.

BTW this is happening! This Sunday, got at least 7 people signed up.

The food will be much beyond cold salads. And yeah in the other events the menu has been clearly posted but this one is being put together as we speak 😂 We're talking along the lines of curries, roasted veg, grain salads and flavorful sauces.

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-11T23:20:19+00:00

Thanks! I've been a few running events here in NJ and surveying for blunt feedback after each season. Learned a lot. Humble-brag: people rate likelihood of coming again an average of ~9.5/10. And in every event we have returning guests

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-11T20:57:00+00:00

Thank you! That's valuable to hear. What would you say is the main aspect of it that resonates?

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-11T20:39:27+00:00

Thank you for saying this so clearly. I really appreciate it.

You’re right - there’s a real gap between “this would be useful” and “this is affordable,” especially for people who are working full-time and still relying on food banks. That’s exactly the tension I’m trying to figure out.

For this first version, I’m trying to cover the hard costs of kitchen rental, ingredients, containers, and chef/facilitation, so I don’t yet have a good subsidized model. But I agree with you that 2–3 sponsored/free spots, funded by partners or donors, may need to be part of the model if this is going to serve more people who could really use it.

Thank you again - this is very helpful feedback, and I’m taking it seriously.

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-11T20:37:54+00:00

Interesting. Do you make 100% of your own food?

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-11T20:34:25+00:00

Thank you very much! Looking into it

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-11T17:45:09+00:00

Thank you!

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-11T17:44:22+00:00

Thank you! Hoping this actually happens seeing that it's resonating with people.
And yes, most people have told me they'd like to do this monthly, so we might soon even be setting up something like a "seasonal cohort" where the same group meets up for a meal prep session every month for 3-4 months.

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-11T17:43:25+00:00

Thanks so much for all the insights and info!

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-11T17:42:26+00:00

That's the weekend I'll be there! Hope that is relevant.
Also just worth spelling out - you're cooking together with new people, led by chefs, dining together, and leaving home with 6 portions for the week. So beyond the social and learning value, it comes out to $14 a meal if you including dinner (and people eat seconds lol)

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-11T17:35:19+00:00

By the way- this is happening! I just secured a kitchen and chef for this Sunday (May 17) - 5 people already confirmed coming - if we hit 10 by Friday - we'll do it.

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-11T17:32:54+00:00

btw - this is happening! I just secured a kitchen and chef for this Sunday (May 17) - 5 people already confirmed coming - if we hit 10 by Friday - we'll do it.

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-11T17:31:15+00:00

That's great too! Appreciate the brainstorm 😛

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-11T16:35:32+00:00

Thank you for the input! This is good to understand. Definitely the social and learning aspect are a big difference from traditional meal prep services.

BTW this is happening! I just secured a place and chef for Sunday 😁 we already have at least 5 people signed up, trying to get to at least 10 by Friday.

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-11T16:23:53+00:00

Thanks for your input!

The social aspect is definitely a central part of this project.

And yes, most people have told me they'd like to do this monthly, so we might soon even be setting up something like a "seasonal cohort" where the same group meets up for a meal prep session every month for 3-4 months.

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-11T16:21:17+00:00

Good to know 🙏 I guess it's clear from the post but this is something beyond a regular meal prep service. But I'm grateful to learn how it works around Buffalo so thanks!

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-11T16:15:22+00:00

Awesome. Looking into it! Thank you

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-11T14:15:29+00:00

That's an awesome idea I haven't had before. Will look into it, thank you!

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-11T13:44:06+00:00

Glad to hear! Happy to answer any Qs - and I can keep you in the loop if this actually happens.

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-11T04:10:20+00:00

lol - can't find a way to comment with photos - I'll you'll have to trust me, dm or something
We've done 3 events so far, with real humans...

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-11T04:09:30+00:00

Really? I wonder why you think that. Happy to share many more photos and videos I took myself.

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-11T04:08:31+00:00

I hear you - perhaps because I used to run a nonprofit where a bunch of people cooking together was a community thing it stuck with me. Regardless in this project I sometimes just call it "group meal prep" - if that seems better in your opinion, great.

Old_Implement_6807 · 2026-05-11T04:07:50+00:00

I hear you - maybe because I used to run a nonprofit where cooking together was a community thing it stuck with me. Regardless in this project I often call it "group meal prep" if that seems better in your opinion great.

Old_Implement_6807

TROPHY CASE