Get Involved|December: Food is Joy
“Laughter is brightest where food is best.”
– Irish Proverb
This story is part of The Meaning of Food, Northwest Harvest’s yearlong exploration of food’s meaning in our lives and communities.
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Food has the power to bring joy to the darkest corners of the world in even the darkest of times. Throughout history, marginalized communities have been oppressed, subjugated, and dominated. Likewise, throughout history, communities have guerilla gardened, saved seeds, preserved food for the winter months, and nourished entire villages from a single kitchen. Food is one of the most critical building blocks of resilience – wherever there is oppression, there is resistance. Wherever there is hunger, there is injustice. Wherever there are full bellies, there is joy.
The United States was built on settler-colonialism, genocide, greed, and violence that worked to separate people from their ability to feed themselves. Land and foodways stewarded and used by indigenous communities were destroyed, virtually eliminating food sovereignty for Native people in the U.S.
The institution of slavery in the southern United States was marked by brutality, oppression, and a profound disregard for human dignity. Not only were enslaved people abducted and sold as livestock, but their access to food was strictly controlled. The diet of enslaved people was extremely small, monotonous, and had very little nutritional value. Enslaved individuals faced grueling labor on plantations, often working from dawn until dusk. Despite rigorous schedules, they were still responsible for preparing their meals – many enslaved cooks were responsible for preparing meals for large groups, including their fellow enslaved people and, at times, the plantation owners.
In their limited personal time, enslaved people kept fruit and vegetable gardens, raised poultry, and foraged wild plants. Some of this produce and meat supplemented their rations. They also sold items at markets to earn small amounts of money.
Common staples included cornmeal, rice, beans, sweet potatoes, and various vegetables. They also raised livestock such as pigs, chickens, and goats, which provided meat. These resources allowed enslaved communities to create a diverse array of dishes, often combining African culinary traditions with the ingredients available in the American south.
These adaptations were not only practical but also symbolic of survival and creativity in the face of adversity. Enslaved cooks ingeniously transformed simple, often sparse ingredients into delicious meals, using techniques such as smoking, pickling, and fermenting. The resilience demonstrated in these adaptations allowed enslaved individuals to maintain a sense of dignity and cultural identity, even as they survived some of the most degrading and dehumanizing conditions. Food became an anchor point for the entire community, reminding everyone of their connections to home and to each other.
Within Me In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love. In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile. In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm… In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.
by Albert Camus
Breaking bread together is one of the most fundamental biological and social rituals of the human species. Eating together is not only good for our bodies, but for our brains and hearts too. Neuroscience research today affirms that the same neurochemical mechanisms governing pleasure, bonding, and stress relief are also triggered by eating food.
It turns out that sharing a meal is like a multivitamin for our mental health – sharing the right foods with the right people can improve and stabilize mood and even reduce stress. There are many brain chemicals involved in our experience of eating food, before the food has even passed our lips, and well after we have finished the last bite.
Dopamine, often described as the “anticipation neurotransmitter,” plays a critical role in motivating individuals toward pleasurable experiences, such as eating. Its release is triggered by cues associated with food, including the smell, sight, or even thought of a favorite dish.
Once food is consumed, serotonin is released, fostering a sense of satisfaction and relaxation. Often associated with mood stabilization, serotonin’s influence extends to promoting feelings of inner calm and contentment after eating.
Certain foods, particularly those that are spicy or sweet, stimulate the release of endorphins, providing mild euphoria. Endorphins act as the body’s natural painkillers, reducing stress and enhancing mood.
Oxytocin plays a unique role in strengthening social connections during shared meals. Known for its involvement in social bonding and attachment, oxytocin fosters a sense of unity and trust, particularly when eating with loved ones.
In addition to the close relationship between our brain chemistry and the food we eat, evidence suggests that eating meals together socially had additional benefits. For young children, a family dinner table bustling with conversation is a linguistic treasure trove – perfect for a mind learning how to speak. For elders, a shared nutritious meal reduces the risk of malnutrition and diet-related illnesses, maintains muscle mass and cognitive performance, and prevents frailty among older adults.
Research has shown that those who engage regularly in shared meals feel happier, have higher life satisfaction, are more engaged, and have more friends they can depend on.
The most meaningful joy is shared in the darkest times. When the world is bleak, unfriendly, and dangerous, joy is at its most potent. Some of the most powerful joy shows up in food pantry lines – a warm breakfast sandwich for shoppers waiting to get their groceries. For some, it’s the first warm meal they’ve had that day.
Sometimes it’s a boxed cake mix at a food bank: an unexpected and small luxury for someone who might not otherwise be able to celebrate a birthday with all the bells and whistles. Sometimes it’s chalk provided to kids to make art while their parents shop, bringing color, brightness, and playfulness to the other food bank patrons.
Sometimes it’s fresh cut flowers, provided at no expense, to liven up the home of a senior living alone. Sometimes it’s a bag of russet potatoes left in the neighborhood Little Free Pantry by a caring and anonymous community member. Sometimes it’s the relief that floods a young father’s face when he sees his local food bank is well-stocked with infant formula and diapers. Sometimes it’s the pride of a Native fisherman seeing a family of six take home a hefty salmon filet that he caught using traditional fishing methods.
The magic of joy is that even the smallest morsels carry a heavy-hitting punch of hope. When we share our joy with others, we feed the hope that lightens our load and lights our path forward together. When we have a lot, we can share a lot. When we have little, we can share a little. What’s important is that we do it together.
Food can bring moments of pure delight, from first bites to tried-and-true favorites. What food makes you happy?
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Follow along at @NWHarvest on Instagram and Facebook, and join the conversation using #MeaningOfFood. Together, we’re weaving a deeper understanding of food’s role in creating a more equitable future.
