M.E.A.L. Time is a food literacy program where participants Meet, Eat, and Learn at the University Library. The users of an academic library are primarily staff, faculty, and students. Those students vary in age from toddlers to senior citizens, come from different countries, and have a wide range of life experiences. What I have learned from working with students here and in Asia is that food is an icebreaker and a gateway to making connections. There’s the lighthearted side of food…What’s your favorite place for X? Have you tried Y? What’s your opinion on candy corn? (I’m ambivalent on that, by the way.) But, there is also a dark side. What do you do when you’re in school and don’t have enough money for rent and food? What if you’re in the dorms and need to supplement your meal plan because the value of swipes is not enough for full meals? What if you were forced to ignore nutritional content because of hunger? I was food insecure in college. Decades later, I am hearing the same struggles from my students in REPAIR Lab.
I envision that implementing Meet, Eat, and Learn (M.E.A.L. ) Time at the University Library will create a space for people to connect over food and answer questions about cooking basics, meal prep, recipes for busy people, and nutrition. The University Library is uniquely positioned to build strong partnerships because we have a college for agriculture, a college for hospitality, a strong care network, connection to on-campus daycare and high school, dorm networks, student groups, cultural centers, and an active development team. Student success in life and academics are our north star. Food plays a vital part in keeping everyone on track for success. To that, please see my innovation strategy and roadmap for M.E.A.L. Time, a meet, eat, and learn at the University Library food experience.
