Grab a Seat at the Table with the Queer Food Foundation

The Queer Food Foundation is a nationwide resource for LGBTQ+ individuals in the food industry. The foundation strives to connect queer foodies across the nation, recognizing that food is a source of community and love. Its mission is to bring people together over shared meals and meaningful connections. The foundation began in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement. Its initial goal was to provide mutual aid, ensuring that people had food in their fridges.

One of the founders of the Queer Food Foundation, Vanessa Parish, has been working in the food industry for over 15 years. Her first job as a teenager sparked a passion for food, and she fell in love with the industry. Over the years, she has worked as an executive pastry chef, caterer, private chef, corporate executive for multiple food businesses and much more.

“Food is an integral part of our livelihood, and knowing that I can provide that in my way and bring people joy is magical,” Parish says. “Without these hospitality spaces, I would not have found my people and been able to celebrate the multiple marginalized intersections. As a Black and Indigenous woman, we do not get the recognition and support we deserve. Food is my contribution to helping change that.”

Parish understands that lower-paying jobs, such as those in hospitality, often go to marginalized communities, including Black, Brown and queer individuals. This is why the Queer Food Foundation prides itself on providing a space for these communities to find, connect with and support one another.

“We only thrive when we work together, and that’s what QFF is all about. Supporting our organization means supporting your community directly,” explains Parish.

The Queer Food Foundation understands that each city or community has different needs. For example, queer individuals in cities like Los Angeles or New York may feel safer coming out, while many others in the South may not feel as protected in public. The foundation recognizes that it is essential to assess the specific needs of each local community while providing a nationwide resource. By doing so, QFF can better understand and address the unique challenges these communities face. The challenge, then, is to build a bridge that connects these communities, offering them the support they need while fostering a stronger, more united network.

The Queer Food Foundation proudly supports the LGBTQ+ community with a variety of resources. The foundation recognizes that education is key to strengthening and empowering the community. Each year, they host the Queer Food Fund, providing micro-grants to Black queer and trans communities. They also commission queer-owned food businesses and offer a Queer Food Directory, allowing queer individuals in the food industry to connect, collaborate and support one another.

“When we support other spaces, we aim to find different ways to offer care. There are many ways to provide resources, and we try to hit as many of those targets as possible. We work with many other aligned organizations that assist and collaborate with us,” says Parish.

The Queer Food Foundation hosts mixers, with their most recent event taking place in Los Angeles. The foundation recognizes the toxic environments that persist within many food industries nationwide. This concern is further amplified by the increasing number of reported hate crimes in recent years and the political climate that may contribute to the further marginalization of LGBTQ+ communities.

In addition to mixers, the foundation organizes events specifically designed to support minority groups working in the food industry. For example, an upcoming virtual panel will feature queer Latinx chefs, fostering conversations about the challenges and benefits of being in food spaces while providing guidance, representation and community support.

Since the foundation is queer, a large portion of its events revolve around Pride, spanning from May to October! These events range from bingo nights to dinner parties, as the foundation understands the deep importance of gathering around food to build community and celebrate identity.

“The phrase ‘food is love’ works by sharing the energy in your heart for a meal. We spend much time when we are out and about or at home with loved ones,” Parish explains. “The first thing that comes to mind is the food. We connect around the tables that provide us comfort and sustenance. That alone is a signature of love, care and safety. That’s exactly what our foundation is about. Our mission at the end of the day is to find ways to provide as much care, love and safety as possible and then use resources to our community that doesn’t often receive it consistently enough in our society.”

www.queerfoodfoundation.org