WHAT IS COMMUNITY?
According to Google’s dictionary, community is “a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.”
I grew up with community as part of my DNA. Our neighbor across the street was our babysitter and all the local kids learned to swim in her pool. When we moved to a new neighborhood, my best friend lived three houses down. If we weren’t swimming in her pool or playing Nintendo, we were in my treehouse or exploring the open spaces nearby.
As I got older, my community began to expand. In high school and college, it was more centered around activities in which I was involved. That grew even more true and more global with the rise of social media. Suddenly, we were able to find “our tribe” everywhere. Today, one of my dearest friends (a fellow foodie) and I have never even lived in the same state.
In nature, a (biological) community is various groups of species interacting together in a common location. Think of a food forest: trees, other plants, animals, insects, fungi and microbes all working together symbiotically. While we can certainly benefit greatly from the global virtual community we have created, there is still something to be said for the health found by mimicking nature.
Over the past year (plus) of digital meetings and limited physical interactions, one thing has become pretty clear: We need each other. We need to see the body language of a friend when they are sharing heartache or their greatest joy. We need hugs. We need the community of those like us, who live near us. Yes, there are studies that show this to be true, but didn’t you already feel it?
In this community-focused issue, every story is my favorite, but I have a particular affinity for “Moving Ahead—Together” because I got to be there, to see “community” happening between Ventura County small business owners connecting over a meal and sharing their mutual experiences. It was cathartic and invigorating—and I hope we get to do it again, and again and again.
The bottom line? Community is us. It is you and it is me. And we need each other like never before as we move toward a post-pandemic era and all the confusion and uncertainty sure to come with it. We need connection and innovation. And we need each other to be compassionate and empathetic and patient. Patient most of all.
Our community includes some incredible food and food providers. May you share some of that bounty this summer.
Until next time, happy eating!
