8 Asian Food Collective volunteers posing for a selfie in Old Pine Community Center's kitchen.

Building community through food.

Mission

Asian Food Collective is led by volunteers focused on building Pan-Asian/Asian American community. We do this by cooking and eating together.

Vision

Everyone deserves food that feels like home.

Values

Inclusion

We are dedicated to building a diverse Pan-Asian/Asian-American* community. You do not need to be Asian to join us; however, the Asian Food Collective is an Asian-centered space meant to uplift Asian voices and cuisine.

*In the term “Asian/Asian American” we include many ethnic identities, such as East Asian, Middle Eastern, Pacific Islander, South Asian, Southeast Asian, as well as folks who are multiracial.

Community Care

We approach our work with love, and we strive to create a compassionate and supportive space. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and varying cooking levels, and we firmly believe in learning together both inside and outside of the kitchen.

Solidarity

We stand in solidarity with all oppressed and marginalized groups. We welcome all Black, disabled, Indigenous, Latine, and Muslim people to our collective.

Food is political

Food is inherently political. From the ownership and care of crops to the sale or exchange of food, what we eat is subjected to a variety of policies on all levels. Recipes are passed down from generation to generation, imbuing each ingredient in a dish with a rich history and cultural significance. Food is a pervasive part of our lives. The act of eating is not only imperative for daily living but also an avenue for people from all communities to share culture with each other.

Our Programs

Weekly Cooking

We cook a rotating menu focusing on Pan-Asian/Asian-American cuisine every Saturday. All cooking levels are welcome to join.

This is a space to practice cooking, share stories, and eat together. The meals we cook are also donated to South Philadelphia Community Fridge.

Every week we try to cook both meat and vegetarian options. We also try a variety of recipes, which can sometimes include halal, vegan, and gluten-free options.

Volunteers are asked to list any allergies in our signup form and are also asked at the beginning of every shift.

Quarterly Dinners

Every three months (or so) we gather together for dinner at an Asian-owned restaurant in Philly.

Restaurants we have gathered in include: Ratchada, Nan Zhou, and Sky Cafe.

Collaborations

We occasionally collaborate with community partners to host social events with a food theme. Previous events we’ve held include a dumpling workshop (in partnership with (Philly Asian and Queer and Brain Gut Heart Wellness) and a soup and yoga night (facilitated by Deepthi Rao).

Meet the Steering Committee

  • Allysa

    she/her

  • Aki

    she/they

  • Hanna

    she/her

  • Jon

    he/him

  • Sabrina

    she/her

  • Yvonne

    she/her

"Life is not what you alone make it. Life is the input of everyone who touched your life and every experience that entered it. We are all part of one another."

— Yuri Kochiyama