Words from Raul
Food Frontiers is a simple idea conveying a basic truth: food unites. I have seen this happen countless times, in various settings including family, neighbors, colleagues and competitors. I have seen people grow mellow over dinner, where before they were at each other's throat.
Food is a perfect distractor, generating positive emotions and associations people can easily relate to. Sharing a meal breaks down barriers and prejudices, thanks to the universal rituals that cement companionship around the table.
We live in a paradoxical time where omnipresent, personalized media has fostered a culture of continuous communication, yet we fail to connect with other kin in our immediate surroundings. We live in parallel worlds, denying each other's presence. The tide of nationalism exacerbates our tendency to imprison ourselves in ignorance. We have to create a place, a commons if you will, where we can truly meet each other and rediscover our interwoven cultural and social capital. Food Frontiers recreates this place, if only for a moment.
