In the Winter of 2022, I decided to close my private counselling practice of 12 years, step back from my doctoral research, and move away from 20 plus years in the mental health field as a trauma specialist. But before I wanted to be a therapist, I first wanted to travel the world to find the best Eggs Benedict, and document my experience. This was the early 90s, and people didn't really do that back then (though they sure do now!), but my passion for food has never waned. I love the story behind food: where it comes from, who's growing it, how it came to be on the plate looking just so and tasting so delicious. I love the experience of eating: beautifully curated table settings among which I've forged countless connections with new friends, old friends, family, or strangers in foreign countries. I love the art of food and the love that goes into every recipe, especially when my husband cooks for our family. Food and love are synonymous to me. In a perfect world, food not only fuels a person, it also offers stability, predictability, health and wellness, and an abundance of joy. And so, because I am a person who has spent my life in service of helping others, it's not a giant leap for me to connect my love of food with a deep concern about the state of food insecurity and poverty in our country, province, city. Without proper food, there is no stability, health or joy. It is unconscionable to me that any child goes hungry. I've grown tired of waiting for our government to come up with a national food plan to meet the needs of ALL children during school hours. So I've decided to join the many creative folks before me and do my part to meet the need, because food should be an essential service at school, and all children, no matter what their station in life, deserve to have both their hearts and bellies full.