Our mission and values

Our Values: Inclusion, Community Care, Solidarity, and Food is Political

Asian Food Collective’s Steering Committee spent last year reflecting on our mission and values as a group. We’re here to dream big and create a welcoming space for our volunteers. Thank you Esther Castillo from Bridging Worlds Consulting for facilitating our mission and values alignment!

What is Asian Food Collective?

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.

Our Values

Inclusion

We are dedicated to building a diverse Pan-Asian/Asian-American* community. You do not need to identify as Asian to join us; however, 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, West 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, LGBTQ+, 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.