How to set up a street feast in your neighbourhood

The ChangeX 100 social enterprise project wants Irish people to launch 100 new community projects in 100 days. Changex. org contains an online toolkit for setting up the local projects and groups: from GIY groups to Men’s Sheds. Here you can find out how to host a Street Feast on the 14th of June

Kate Lynch

Street Feast was born in 2009. A small team of volunteers wanted a way of strengthening communities in a simple and enjoyable way, through food and conversation.

The first Street Feast took place on July 18th, 2010 when 35 neighbourhoods throughout Ireland enjoyed a meal with their neighbours. Since then, Street Feast has grown significantly, with 175 neighbourhoods hosting local lunches with their neighbours in June in 2014 – reaching more than 17,000 people.

The reason for this continued growth is simple, according to one of its co-founders, Samuel Bishop: “Over the last few years, people have realised that community does have a value.”

Street Feast enables people to get to know who they live beside, start conversations and brings everyone living on the same street together on an equal footing over food. “When we know each other, it’s feels great and it makes your neighbourhood a safer place,” adds Bishop.

Dublin businesswoman, Sharon Greene, who owns Queens of Neon, has organised a Street Feast every year for the past four years, and notes its effect. “We have chilled out music, everyone contributes by bringing unbelievably amazing food, and it takes away a barrier, generating great conversations with people we usually wouldn’t have the opportunity to talk to. The first year we had it, I was surprised by the reception; I got loads of thank you cards from the neighbours for such a wonderful day. It really touched people.”

Some of the things that have resulted from Street Feasts include the creation of new community gardens, development of social innovations such as CoderDojo and stronger social support between neighbours as they help each other out with dog walking or babysitting throughout the year.

One story in particular that Bishop recalls is regarding a woman in Meath who organised a Street Feast in her area: “After living in the area for just three weeks, she decided to arrange a Street Feast to get to know her neighbours. This was so successful and appreciated that she continued with hosting regular wine and cheese nights throughout the year. Shortly afterwards, she became sick, and her neighbours came together to rally around her, helping her out with whatever she needed. It was a lovely story in how this comes full circle.”

To start a Street Feast in your area, you can visit changex.org where you find a guide on how to organise a feast and register one in your own street. You will then get a free starting pack from Street Feast which includes invitations, posters, bunting, balloons and colourful hats, as well as information on how to apply for street closure and dealing with rain.

Bishop also recommends recruiting a friend to help you organise the Street Feast and encourage your neighbours to contribute what they have available – such as chairs, tables, music, a projector and, of course, food. “It’s only once you start asking, that you’ll realise people have skills or resources,” he notes.

Greene advises to keep it as simple as possible for the first year: “Do it with the least possible amount of work. Don’t go fussing. In our first year we didn’t weed or anything. Loads of people came out and it was so hassle free, and everyone really enjoyed themselves. When it was finished that evening, everyone clapped for ages, cleaned up everything and left. People were so respectful; it was like having visitors in your home.”

As it has continued on Greene’s street, people have started to put more effort in every year. “Our neighbours are really taking pride in our street now, putting bunting up on their railings, rugs on their doorsteps and even weeding the path and gutter on the morning of the Street Feast.”

This year’s Street Feast is taking place on Sunday, June 14th, and Bishop is excited. “I want to see streets filled with people, feeling safer and more empowered in their communities. It’s not about a religion or alcohol or promoting a business – it’s about the people who you live beside. My vision is that it becomes a national day, where everyone all over the country shares amazing food and conversation together.”

For more, see changex.org/street-feast