Use food in activities

This section covers three main areas:

Should we use food in activities (such as discussions, quizzes, reminiscence or outings)?

What are the benefits?

Use of/reference to food can provide a familiar, widely relatable, vivid, sensory and engaging focus for what could otherwise be a dry activity
Use of/reference to food can stimulate memory-sharing, cultural expression, mutual learning and discovery, ‘health-by-stealth’ discussions and social connection
Use of/reference to food can act as a ‘hook’ and catalyst for wider engagement in a group and its activities, including access to regular nutrition
Food-based activity can act as a sensory medium for participation/ interaction that is not dependent up verbal contribution or understanding
An offer of food can be an anchor around which other activity is planned (e.g. outings)

What are the risks?

If the food used/referenced in activities lacks personal or cultural relevance or familiarity it may alienate or exclude from participation (e.g. in a quiz or discussion)
If attendees have experienced changes or difficulties with eating, drinking and appetite, or have a separate health condition that affects their relationship with food (e.g. diabetes, IBS, cardio-vascular conditions or an eating disorder) they may find discussing food upsetting or triggering, or may be excluded from the activity
Activities that prioritise verbal communication may exclude attendees with communication needs
Potential allergen risk from physically using food for activities (e.g. through consumption, skin contact or inhalation)

Using food as part of another activity such as a quiz, discussion or reminiscence session (e.g. as a prop, accompanying snack, a visual or verbal reference or simply a topic of discussion) can make that activity more engaging and help people connect socially
Food is especially effective for evoking connection to culture and heritage due to its personal and cultural significance.
An offer of food can act as anchor around which new, different or out-of-routine activities can be planned (e.g. walks or outings that start or finish in a cafe).
Food-based activity can offer a way for attendees to participate and interact that is not dependent up verbal contribution or understanding.
Integrating food with group activities can either encourage people to engage with the activity because they like the food aspect, or encourage people to get some nutrition while they do the activity.
Not everyone will be interested in food, and for some discussing food and eating may be uncomfortable, especially if living with health conditions that affect their relationship with food.

What helps?

A range of planned activities that draw upon food and drink that align with the with the generational references, cultural backgrounds and capacities of attendees
Access to foodstuffs and food paraphernalia as sensory props
Growing plants in the setting/ gardening activities for produce
Combining food-related activities and food-theming with other appealing offerings
Providing food that is familiar and enjoyed and that reflects the general cultural, ethnic or socioeconomic background of a group and the cultural importance of food

What challenges might we need to think about?

Attendees may have very different backgrounds, beliefs, cultural norms, tastes and levels of interest in food, leading to very different responses
Not all attendees may be interested in food
Some attendees are likely to have a variety of symptoms and health conditions that may affect their relationship with food and eating