“It would be important for a family to have a rice cooker in the home and lots and lots of rice!!”
This was part of an email reply an RNDM Sister sent me in response to my questions about what items would help newcomer Filipino families feel welcome in Manitoba.
The next day, as I stood at a display of rice cookers in a large store in Winnipeg, I noticed a young man also looking intently at the models on offer.
“Do you eat a lot of rice?” I asked, hoping to open up a conversation about this appliance. I had never owned or used a rice cooker.
“Yes, we do!” he replied.
Noticing what I thought might be a Filipino accent, I pressed further, “are you from the Philippines?” “Yes, I am.” I sensed an opening for more discussion.
“Are these the kind of rice cookers you use?” I continued, and pointed to one of the models located in the display.
His voice became animated, “That’s exactly the one! Ours stopped working and I need to buy a new one.”
The box stated the following: 16-Cup Rice Cooker and Steamer. This prompted me to ask, “Are 16 cups enough?”
“Yes, enough for us, three children and my grandmother.”
Since he was so helpful, I decided to ask him about vegetables that my RNDM friend also recommended.
“Do you eat long beans? Are they longer than ordinary beans?”
“Yes, they come in packages at the grocery store.”
How about “water lettuce?” I asked.
“Water lettuce?” He looked confused. He wasn’t sure about this one. (Later, after checking the email from my friend, I realized my question should have been about “water spinach.”)
We talked about other vegetables and fruit, winter weather, and celebrating Christmas. After about fifteen minutes, we both picked up our boxed rice cookers. I thanked him for his help, he smiled and we went on our different ways. I felt warmed by this experience of connection.
This encounter revealed to me that daily life presents many opportunities for connection with each other. Often, it’s food that brings us together. It may be the preparation of food, as in the case of shopping for a rice cooker. It may be the growing of food in community gardens that are popping up around the country as we try to reduce the cost of feeding ourselves and our families. It may be the sharing of food through food banks and community kitchens, and around our tables at special times like Christmas.
According to recent news reports, we have a loneliness epidemic in this country. We also have food security challenges. In recent years, Canada’s government has been developing a food policy with the following vision:
“All people in Canada are able to access a sufficient amount of safe, nutritious, and culturally diverse food. Canada’s food system is resilient and innovative, sustains our environment and supports our economy.” 1
I’m convinced that the Gospel accounts describing the many encounters Jesus had with others around food are meant to show us one very effective way to ward off loneliness and alienation.
Many years ago, I received a hostess gift from a Finnish woman who came for dinner. It’s a small metal chair with a candle on the seat. When she gave it to me, she said “It’s not so much what’s on the table as who’s in the chairs that’s important.” Yes, but it’s often “what’s on the table” that brings “who’s in the chairs” together. Maybe we can address both loneliness and food security at the same time.
Wendy spent a good part of her adult life moving with her husband, never staying long enough to see an apple tree mature and bear fruit. When they retired, developing a food garden and planting hardy ornamentals became a passion. Weaving her previous studies in nutrition with her current interest in gardening has become a stimulating and life-giving activity.
Thank you for this reflection on your experience of connection around the purchase of a rice maker!
Thanks also for the image of the small metal chair with a candle on the seat, and your recognition that it’s both what’s on the table and who’s in the chairs that’s important to ward off loneliness and connect us more deeply.
This is a great reflection, Wendy! Certainly gathering around food is such a rich experience, and an experience denied too many in our world. Food security is such an important justice issue and I appreciate you poignantly calling us to that reality.