How does this Work?
I schedule meals on this website according to groceries I have available and what I feel like making. You order using the provided form, and tell me whether you can pick it up or need it delivered. Orders close 36 hours in advance, which is usually Saturday at 11:59pm. I cook on Sunday afternoons with my spouse and any volunteers, and we deliver food on Monday. I try and let people know when there are new menus up via Discord and Facebook but checking back every week or two is your best bet to stay informed.
I make really good food, almost everything from breads and sauces to salad dressings and cheeses are made from scratch using recipes from world-class chefs and the best ingredients. This is food I’m making for me, my family, and my community and I don’t cut corners.
It works because all donations go towards food, packaging, and website costs and my team and I donate our time, space, equipment, and vehicles. We do this because we love mutual aid and feeding people, not to turn a profit.
How much is it?
It’s up to you what you can afford towards groceries this week. If you can’t afford to pitch in this week or any week I still want to feed you.
The website is set up to charge a flat fee of 10 dollars per “class” whether that booking has one portion or six. 5-15 bucks a portion is what I say when forced to provide a range. I aim to make a meal that would cost 20-25 from a local restaurant with delivery.
How to Pay:
Using code FREEMEAL will reduce your total to $0. This option is available to everyone, with unlimited uses, funded by people who click “buy a meal for someone else” or send recurring donations.
Cash or Barter: Click “Book Class” and skip payment entirely, the system does not require payment to process an order.
EFT or Paypal: Click “Book Class” then send whatever amount you like to noblewhimsical@gmail.com
Credit Card: Click “Proceed to Payment” and enter your info. It will charge you a flat $10 unless you click one of the provided add-ons to adjust your bill
On meal days (usually Mondays), there are two ways to get your food:
1) Pickup at my home on Overdale between Noon and 10pm
2) Delivery by my amazing volunteer driver. This is contingent on their availability but is typically between 5 and 9 pm. If possible, please meet your driver at the front doors of your building or leave instructions about where to drop the food. They are willing to bring food to the apartment doors of folks with mobility challenges, please note this in your delivery instructions.
If you need to make alternate arrangements, please reach out.
Should I return my containers?
I would super appreciate it if you would! If you can wash them and return them (other than flimsy dip containers) it helps us save money and plastic and we really love it. I’ll also take back my purple bags and any smallish reusable bags. Your delivery driver will be happy to grab them or you can return them when you pick up food.
What are the portion sizes?
I try and give a reasonable meal size portion of each dinner. Sometimes I misjudge and don’t make as much as I’d like. I typically package things in ~500ml containers for one portion. Accompanying sides may be smaller.
Did I send enough money?
If you sent any, thank you! I try and stick to meals that cost in the range of the suggested 5-15 bucks per meal but sometimes I don’t succeed. Veggies and mushrooms are outrageous these days along with everything else but I still believe everyone deserves to eat good food made of delicious fresh ingredients. Whatever you can afford to send is much appreciated, and if you can’t afford to send anything you deserve good food too. I have a very hard time responding to questions about money but I am so thankful for everyone who contributes.
Can you accommodate [allergy]?
If you have a serious allergy, this probably is not the right service for you. I offer a vegan option every week and try to make gluten friendly options available, but my kitchen is omnivorous and full of dairy and often coated in a fine layer of wheat flour. I do my best to keep things sanitized and abide by the best practices I’ve learned in professional kitchens, but I can’t make any promises. Please tell me your allergies every time, I don’t wanna hurt you
Can you leave [thing] out of my meal?
I’m often willing to exclude or minimize certain ingredients, if you let me know your personal tastes. Please tell me every time, my brain cannot hold those details and I actively appreciate it, it does not annoy me for you to tell me what ingredients you hate.
I’m new here, am I invited to participate?
Almost certainly! If you know about this page and I haven’t explicitly told you I do not want to feed you, you’re welcome to sign up. If you want to help out, there are opportunities below!
We are a proudly Queer and Trans powered team. If you’re the kind of person who votes for Conservatives or thinks Trump has some good ideas, I invite you to self-select out of this community.
I also reserve the ultimate right to cancel any order that I just don’t feel like fulfilling for whatever reason, and I will refund any money for outstanding orders if that should happen.
The first time you order, please put the words MUTUAL AID somewhere in your form so I know you read this far :)
Can I tell other people?
Sure, as long as they’re the kind of people you’re reasonably sure will participate in the spirit of mutual aid.
How can I help?
-Sign up to wash dishes or chop veggies on Sundays
-Offer to help deliver a few meals
-Plant a row of veggies for WFD this year
-Tell me about really good food deals you see
-GIVE FEEDBACK, I equally crave compliments and criticism.
-Buy 500ml and 1L deli containers or the 850 ml white rectangular meal prep containers and leave them on my doorstep
-Set up a recurring e-transfer donation to help me feed people every week
-I made an amazon wishlist but feel free to search for these things locally or second hand or donate stuff you have that you don’t use anymore. Big stockpots, cast iron cookware, etc always welcome! https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/ls/1PB0URHDM20KW?ref_=wl_share
Who are you?
I’m Ashlyn, she/they, been cooking for fun all my life and very occasionally for profit. My biggest cooking influences are my mom, Samin Nosrat, J Kenji Lopez-Alt, and Chrissy Teigen.
I love feeding people, and I want to fill all your freezers with low effort food that tastes great and was made with love and really nice ingredients! I want to make your lives easier while you enrich mine by telling me things you enjoyed and how I can make it even better. Being a batch cooker for my community is where I feel that I belong.
PLEASE let me know if you have any particular complaints or suggestions. I will be proud of you for reaching out, I want you to love this food and for this project to be as beneficial to everyone involved as possible.