You’re invited to #EatTogether at a Longest Table event!

This December, we’re inviting members of the Stroud district community and beyond to host a Longest Table event in order to combat loneliness.

Did you know that 1 in 20 people suffer from loneliness all year round? We know this feeling is intensified during the festive season, and we want to help change it!

Last Christmas we couldn’t all be together, but despite the physical separation, we made sure that 3500 people ate well in the county. It inspired a sense of community and connection – which is how the project made a real difference during such a difficult time.

This year, we’re building on this foundation with The Longest Table. We’re inviting friends in our community to host their own Long Table, AKA The Longest Table. It will take place for a full week and starts on Monday 13th December until Sunday 19th December.

 
 

During these 7 days, we’re inviting workplaces, churches, streets, clubs, neighbours and friends to unite around warming bowls of nourishing food. Colleagues can get an extra Christmas party in at lunchtime and communities could use village halls to host festive feasts. Friends and families can even use this as an opportunity to carve out an hour (or two) to unite around one table. Everyone is invited to take part.

While our new home at Brimscombe Mills isn’t ready for customers yet, we will be hosting our own Longest Table to thank the 90+ volunteers and trades that are helping bring the beautiful old building back to life.

Our mission is to bring people in the community together to share a meal this Christmas. And while we champion a Pay As You Feel model for our meals, there’s no expectation to donate at any Longest Table events. If we do raise any money at our Longest Table, it will go directly to the Refugee Community Kitchen.

If hosts of the Longest Table events in the community would like to donate any money raised at their event, then we also invite them to choose a charity to be the benefactor of this.

In addition, if hosts or guests in the community would like to support The Long Table, the best way to do this is to sign up to our newsletter, become a Friend of the Long Table or maybe even gift a subscription to someone who loves great food. 

The most important thing for us this Christmas is that people are able to enjoy eating together once again, and we’re so looking forward to hearing your convivial tales from your meals.

Share your photos and videos by tagging The Long Table on Instagram and Facebook, and by using the hashtags #thelongesttable and #eattogether.

 
 

How can you get involved?

It’s as easy as 1-2-3.

1. Register below to receive your Longest Table Christmas downloadable pack to find out more about how to plan and host your event this December.

2. Choose a date to host a meal during The Longest Table week 13th - 19th December.

3. Invite your family, friends, neighbours or colleagues to an amazing slap-up meal or a simple bowl of homecooked food this festive period!

 
Subscribe to receive your Longest Table download pack
(please check your spam folder if you haven't received your download pack within a few minutes)
By signing up you agree to receive updates about The Long Table by email. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Please see our privacy policy.
Marketing by

Get all of The Longest Table assets for your event

 
 
 

FAQs

How does The Longest Table work?
The Longest Table is a way of making sure we all #EatTogether this Christmas. To make this happen we need hosts to invite their family, friends, neighbours and even strangers to come and eat food cooked by the hosts to share conversations around food. While there’s no expectation to pay for the meal (even pay-as-you-feel), any money raised will be donated to the charity of the host’s choice.

What should I cook?
We have included some yummy recipe ideas in the downloads above but we would ask you to cook anything with love. At The Long Table, it’s important for our menus to be seasonal, local and mindful of surplus from the community. We know that if there’s warming food, cooked with love on offer, then anyone who gets a serving will be very happy.

Where shall I host?
This is up to you. We understand that with Covid-19 risks you may only be happy with having your family around a table which is a perfect way to share. If you would like to invite more people, maybe think about getting your neighbour to bring their table round to make yours bigger. Or, you could even set up a soup kettle at the front of your house and serve your street – this could be a safe way to share your lovingly cooked food.

Who should I invite?
This is up to you too. Invite as many people as you’re happy to invite. Whether it’s your family and/or friends around the table, or you’re feeling brave and want to host a meal in your local community hall or your work common room, all types of Longest Table events are welcome!

What will donations be used for?
The most important thing to us this Christmas is that people get together to share a lovingly prepared meal. While there’s no expectation for guests to pay, if money is raised at the event, we invite the host to choose a charity to be the benefactor of this.

I’m unable to host a meal but how can I support The Long Table?

There are so many ways to help: