My first experience at Cafe de la Terre

« I participate cause it feels like a family, a permutable flexible and open one »; « The atmosphere is warm and cosy and I get to meet new people »; « The food is great and healthy »; « It is never the same, I have been coming for a long time, and I always get surprised »; « I prefer eating with friends rather than home alone »... Those are some of the comments that I exchanged with some of the participants of Cafe de la Terre last Thursday.

What is Cafe de la Terre ? A space where ideas of eating organic and local, of sharing, participating, connecting and creating community become reality thanks to a dedicated group of people.

This time, february 23th 2017, Mariklöde Tardi and Renaud Phaneuf, one of the founders of Cafe de la Terre, received us at their house. The caceroles are full, the lights low and we converse in a cosy and friendly environment enjoying our herbal tea. Variety of smells, smiles and people from different backgrounds and ages. The youngest is my son just 3 months old, there is also another child joining bonding with his dad.

The soup touches the table and it is truly delicious and when the main dish arrives I can feel the satisfaction of everyone by the sounds they make... mmm... très bon. It is not just the taste and the fresh and healthy ingredients but the fact that each detail is carefully taken cared of and I can feel there was love in the process.

Renaud starts the ball game of introductions and each one gladly share his name and a thought. We enjoy our apple muffin while Mariklöde and Renaud thank us for joining and for opening discussions for new future activities such as movie projections. We say goodbye with a smile and with appreciation for the initiative of Cafe de la Terre – I dare to call it a revolutionary initiative that once someone participates he or she feels more like an active citizen.