Cork communities urged to meet their neighbours for this year's Street Feast

Street Feast 2019 has been officially launched with an aim of 120 organised el-fresco meals taking place across the city this year.

Last year 107 street feasts took place in Cork City and on Sunday, May 5, the successful community initiative is celebrating its 10th birthday and hoping communities across the city are going to in.

1,344 feasts were organised nationwide in 2018 with 120,000 people getting involved and organisers are aiming to increase this to at least 1,500 this year.

Street Feast 2019 is taking place as part of the inaugural National Community Weekend hosted by the Department of Rural & Community Development. Registration for Street Feast is free and organisers can qualify for a grant from their local County or City Council.

Street Feast Cofounder Sam Bishop said: “Street Feast is about building community and tackling isolation.

“It is a great opportunity for people to get together with their neighbours to share food and enjoy some conversation and camaraderie. It doesn’t matter if you live in an apartment or house, all you need is an outdoor space to bring people together. We have had feasts organised in front gardens, on streets and greens, in carparks, laneways, local parks and community centres.

“We are delighted to be celebrating 10 years of Street Feast this year and think it will be bigger than ever especially as it now part of the great new National Community Weekend initiative.” Organising a Street Feast is free and could not be easier. 

"Hosts can for a free Street Feast pack including bunting, invitations, posters and guides," Mr Bishop said, "All they have to do is spread the word amongst a few neighbours and get everyone to bring along some food and drink for sharing.

“It has been hugely successful and we have great stories of neighbours meeting each other for the first time at Street Feasts, making great connections and starting initiatives such as community gardens, residents associations and babysitting clubs. It fosters an excellent community spirit which is so important in this digital age when we need to build resilient, healthy communities”.

Street Feast was set up by Sam Bishop and a group of volunteers in 2009 as a non-profit, community building initiative.

This year Street Feast is once again teaming up with Oireachtas na Gaeilge and with from Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge they hope to have at least 30 Féasta Sráide on May 5.

Registration and further details are available at www.streetfeast.ie, www.facebook.com/streetfeast, @streetfeast / #streetfeast2019, www.instagram.com/streetfeast