Madison Meet and Eat Expands in 2013

After a very successful first year in the Meadowood neighborhood, Meet and Eat is expanding to the city's south and north side this summer, Mayor Soglin announced today. The collective of food carts will be at the Villager Mall, 2300 S. Park Street on the city's Southside on Tuesdays in July. The event will be held on the Northside at St. Paul's Church, 2126 N. Sherman Ave. on Tuesdays in August. It will continue at Meadowood Shopping Center, 5702 Raymond Road on the Southwest side on Thursdays, beginning June 20 and continuing through August. All events will run from 5:00-7:30 p.m. Meet and Eat is an initiative introduced by Mayor Soglin last year at Meadowood to bring together community members and local food vendors in order to address "food deserts." A food desert is defined as an area where healthy, affordable food is difficult to obtain. Madison Meet and Eat addresses this issue by introducing attendees to new and local food options in a fun, neighborhood atmosphere. Meadowood area residents also learned last year that the event is a great opportunity to socialize with your neighbors, many of whom you have not met before. "Meet and Eat was a huge success last summer and a real testament to the community building spirit that exists in Southwest Madison," said Madison 20th District Alder Matt Phair. "The neighborhood, Meadowood in particular, proved that people of all backgrounds enjoy coming together to share fellowship; having good food always helps!" "I am really pleased that we are able to expand this program to the north and south sides of the city this year," said Mayor Soglin. "Residents in those neighborhoods came to us and asked that the program be expanded to other neighborhoods, and I look forward to spending time at the new locations in July and August." Although each neighborhood event will be somewhat different, there is the opportunity for live music performances and the sale of fresh produce at each. Food vendors have been instructed to have at least one item at $3 or less on their menu, and vouchers for cost reductions will be distributed through the local neighborhood centers. Food cart vendors wishing to participate can still sign up online for the 2013 events. Full details can be found at: http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/celebrate/madisonmeetandeat.cfm