Collective Kitchens in Three Canadian Cities: Impacts on the Lives of Participants

Collective kitchens are small groups of people who pool their resources to cook large quantities of food. Over the last twenty years, hundreds of groups have been formed across Canada. However, collective kitchens vary considerably in structure, purpose, and format. This study of collective kitchens in three Canadian cities found that the social benefits are foremost for participants, particularly with regards to increasing social support and decreasing isolation. Impacts on food security and food and nutrition knowledge are also important. Participants also discussed how their involvement resulted in community building. Despite these important positive impacts, collective kitchens are not a solution to poverty and other social inequalities.