THE SOUP STORY
community
The Slow Soup Drive, began in 2020 as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic with the belief that no-one should get left behind. Through community partnerships we have served over 50,000 nourishing bowls of soup for the vulnerable- which include single mothers, youth, elderly and differently abled. We believe that vulnerable people should have access to healthy nutrient dense foods. The demand to serve more people has not lessened and it takes a lot of effort to keep this programme running three days per week.
We are committed to engaging with community groups through partnerships as a model for the soup drive distribution as face to face interaction with a friendly person from one's own community on receiving a soup is an added benefit of the programme.
farmers
The Slow Soup Drive's humble beginning saw 100% of everything kindly being donated. Faster than anyone imagined, the need became more dire, and the response was ramped up. Generous farmers who gave of their overstocked produce in the beginning are now rewarded with weekly orders paid for by generous donations. We continue to grow and seek to make a lasting impression, sending a message of homegrown nutrition created by a united community of farmers and chefs supported by volunteers and philanthropists.
The initiative recognizes the important role our local farmers play in co-creating a healthy food and healthcare system. With restaurants and hotels at diminished capacities, small farmer incomes have plummeted. Our local farmers need our support to sustain our island's food system and continue the hard work of feeding us all. Thanks to generous monetary donations we are able to purchase fresh produce from local farmers, helping to secure their livelihoods and encouraging them to develop agricultural land, building food security and meeting the needs of the island.
Chefs
As a response to COVID-19 lockdowns, the Slow Soup Drive was born in April 2020. We began by bringing together professional Chefs and talented Cooks, who alongside volunteers, in a culinary all-hands-on-deck approach have been delivering warm, wholesome nutrition to those most in need ONE SLOW SOUP at a time.
The Chefs' Alliance, an internationally recognized group of local volunteer chefs and cooks has been wholeheartedly giving their time and skill, creating nutritious, hearty soups utilizing local, donated produce in borrowed kitchens, while adhering to the strictest health and safety standards of COVID-19.
Volunteer chefs are always welcome to lend thier time and services at the soup kitchen. There is a particular need for assistance during the island's high season Dec-April.
The soup kitchens churn out 100's of bowls of warm nutritious soup per day, and fluidly adapt to reflect the current need in the communities served.
restaurants
Restaurants have joined us by lending support to the soup drive. The Local & Co. started our "Buy a Soup Give a Soup" campaign where restaurants have the opportunity to place Slow Soup or a Slow Dish on the menu. For each menu item that is ordered the restaurant donates $5 to Slow Food in support of our Slow Soup Drive initiative.
La Cabane believes whole-heartedly in the Slow Food principles and has come on board in December 2022 to donate $1 from each guest's bill to give back to the community through the Slow Soup Drive.
Restaurants interested in giving back through the "Buy a Soup Give a coup" Campaign can contact us directly to get involved.