Giovanna wrote:Also, I didn't notice how the food would get distributed. Numbers handed out at the door? What if everybody wants the pastrami? I can move pretty fast when I need to?

I may be unclear on the concept here, but I believe if there are twelve people in the group, you bring eleven servings to share with the others. So, you make a big bunch of one dish and get many other dishes.

Pastrami is a great idea. It's something I'd never make just for The Wife and I, but if I knew I was going to share with many others, it'd be worth the effort.

I may be unclear on the concept here, but I believe if there are twelve people in the group, you bring eleven servings to share with the others. So, you make a big bunch of one dish and get many other dishes.

Yep - that would be the concept.

As for the uniform size containers, one of the things I think we probably want to avoid is having to keep buying containers. The idea with everyone using the same conatiners is you bring 12 4-cup containers of the same food and get back 12 4-cup containers of 12 different foods. As for the times when someone may want to bring something like bread that is best stored in a different type of container, the challenge would be that next exchange if someone wanted to make soup or a stew, they might need to buy containers to make up for what they didn't get back last time. As a possible solution, how about those folks making food that isn't being stored in the "standard" container, they would go ahead and use a different container or delivery system (plastic bag, wrap, etc.) for the food they are bringing, but also return the empty containers from the last round of food with it. Does that make sense?

Giovanna - we don't know yet what night we will settle on but if it's one that doesn't work for your schedule, maybe you can arrange for someone in the group to pick up and bring your contributions and bring your stash back?

Hellodali wrote:

As a possible solution, how about those folks making food that isn't being stored in the "standard" container, they would go ahead and use a different container or delivery system (plastic bag, wrap, etc.) for the food they are bringing, but also return the empty containers from the last round of food with it. Does that make sense?

That sounds like a very simple, easy fix. I think we want to use a uniform container size and keep recycling.

Costco has big packs of those ziploc containers - disposable-ish, but reusable for quite a few times.

Lee

Hellodali wrote:Thanks and see you all on December 1.

Since there hasn't been any chatter on this thread for a while, I just wanted to make sure that we are still on for tonight. I, for one, sure hope so.

Bueller?

RAB wrote:

Hellodali wrote:Thanks and see you all on December 1.

Since there hasn't been any chatter on this thread for a while, I just wanted to make sure that we are still on for tonight. I, for one, sure hope so.

Bueller?

I'm still in.

I will join you as well.

With regrets, I am going to miss tonight's planning meeting

Yes, we are still on. Last week I posted a little reminder upthread with some questions to think about. Kenny, even though you are missing tonight, I assume you still want to be part of the group, yes?

Hellodali wrote:Yes, we are still on. Last week I posted a little reminder upthread with some questions to think about. Kenny, even though you are missing tonight, I assume you still want to be part of the group, yes?

I definitely want to, but I'd suggest taking me off the list if a wait list forms, and includes anyone who can be more definite than I about participation level. My work travel plans are often unpredictable, and I'd hate to take someone's spot, then not be able to contribute or partake very often.

Also coming, should be there by 6:45 (remember, we'll be late, save 2 seats please)

Lee

Hi,

I will be there. My friend Helen cannot make it. If that is the seat you need Kennyz, then consider yourself in.

Regards,

Unfortunately, a looming work deadline means I must miss tonight's planning meeting at Khan's. I remain interested in this project, though.

I had forgotten all about this and have to bow out

I'm planning on being there. I'm not sure exactly how long it'll take me to get there (Red Line from downtown to Rogers Park, walk/bus transfer to Khan), so if I'm not there at 6:30... I'm on my way, I just underestimated the molasses-like pace of the CTA.

-Dan

Hi all:

We had a great organizing meeting and great meal at Khan tonight. I think we hit the right balance of organized, flexible and not too complicated for the LTH Forum Small Household Food Exchange. Here’s how it’ll go:

Gathering time: Second Monday of the month, 7:00 pm

Location: GNR restaurants to be determined each month

Number in the group: We have 17 people interested in participating however we will cap attendance at each gathering at 12 so that participants are never making more than 12 servings of anything. Couples will be counted as one serving.

The food: Participants will bring one pre-portioned serving of their food for everyone who has RSVP’d to come that month. A serving is whatever you think it is for your food item. For soup, it may be two cups say; for pastrami, 4 oz. (or more if you make more generous sandwiches). The priority will be for entrees, meats, soups, salad, stews, pastas, grains, etc. One dessert is OK each month, we just didn’t want 6-7 dessert offerings as everyone was mostly interested in main meals. There will be no restrictions on the food – we’re an omnivorous bunch. WE DO HAVE ONE MUSHROOM ALLERGY IN THE GROUP SO IF YOU MAKE SOMETHING WITH MUSHROOMS, PLEASE INFORM THE GROUP WHEN YOU POST WHAT YOU ARE BRINGING. IF ANYONE ELSE HAS ANY ALLERGIES, PLEASE LET US KNOW. Again, that doesn’t mean that the ingredient is off limits, it just means to let everyone know if you are using it that month. We decided we don’t want to start running any list of off-limit foods or ingredients.

The containers/delivery system: Everyone in the group will buy 12 or so of the Glad or Ziploc 3 ½ cup plastic containers (either round or squared). You’ll portion your food into those containers to bring and hand out at the gathering. You can freeze them or not depending on your schedule and when you make your food. There is no need to fill the container, just put in whatever is a serving to you. If you use something else to deliver your food that month (Ziploc bags, plastic wrap, etc.) you should also return the empty containers from the last round so that everyone always has a stash of these containers for the exchange and doesn’t have to run out and buy more.

The process:

Each of us will take turns being the organizer each month. Each time we meet, someone will offer to organize the next month’s gathering.

Approximately two weeks before the next gathering, the organizer will post a new thread to the events page announcing the date and the location for that month and asking for RSVP’s.

Participants will need to RSVP their attendance by one week before the monthly gathering. They will then need to post what they are bringing by three days before the gathering. This is to help make sure we get some balance in the food so that we’re not all bringing something that has to be eaten in the next 2-3 days; that there’s a balance of stuff that can be frozen for later, or eaten sooner.

The organizer will monitor the thread to see what people are bringing. The organizer will also make reservations for the group at the restaurant where we will be gathering. People can choose to stay for dinner or just come and exchange food and leave. Just let the organizer know so they can get an accurate count for the reservation. Other LTHers are welcome to join us for dinner, even if they are not bringing food to exchange.

We all agreed to stay relaxed and flexible with the exchange as there will likely be some bumps in the first few months and questions we haven’t thought of will come up and we’ll have to figure them out. Remember that the core purpose of the exchange will be for a group of LTH’ers to exchange good food they’ve made with minimal hassle and restrictions.

I think that I’ve got everything we discussed. For those of you at dinner tonight, please add anything I missed. For those of you that weren’t please, pipe in with any questions or concerns but hopefully you are cool with the decisions of the group that did the deliberating tonight.

I will be organizing the first exchange which will be Monday January 12, 2009 7:00 pm. Look for a post closer to the date. Here’s to more opportunities to cook and more variety in meals in the new year for those of us in small households!

HI,

I stopped by Costco and Strack and Van Til on my way home.

At Costco, the only Ziploc containers I saw were either a set of reusable containers in different sizes and quantities. I was hoping to find a quantity in the size needed, but didn't luck out.

At Strack and Van Til, I saw:

Gladware
- Entree size, square shape, 3-1/8 cup capacity for $3.39/5 pcs
- Soup/Salad size, rectangle shape, 3 cup capacity for $3.39/5 pcs
- Small Bowl, round shape, 4 cup capacity - didn't get the price

ZipLoc
- Small, square shape, 2-1/2 cup capacity for $3.49/5 pcs
- Medium, square shape, 4 cup capacity for $3.49/4 pcs
- Medium, bowl, 3-cup capacity - didn't get the price.

Some of these were on sale, though I took on the regular retail price.

I also checked the manufacturer's websites to find none had a 3-1/2 cup capacity. It would seem the 4-cup capacity containers might be the way to go. Do you agree?

Regards,

Tonight, I mentioned Gladware, but I'm pretty sure the containers I meant to recommend are made by Ziploc (3 or 4 cup). So...I'd recommend 3 cup Ziploc containers.

HI,

The Ziploc 3-cup is round, while the Gladware Entree size is square shape. Round will create deadspace in the freezer. I think the square will use space better. IF we all buy the same thing, then it is stackable, too.

I will buy whatever the consensus will be. I almost bought last night, but was thrown off the the variety of shapes and capacities.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:HI,

The Ziploc 3-cup is round, while the Gladware Entree size is square shape. Round will create deadspace in the freezer. I think the square will use space better. IF we all buy the same thing, then it is stackable, too.

Agreed. Entree size might be better. We should all use the same kind/size of container.