SPACE’s Food Program
Throughout your residency, food and beverages will be prepared onsite and served in Kay Hall. Communal meals at SPACE provide nourishment, camaraderie, and a sense of structure for each day. We ask that you please attend every meal in a timely manner.
Meals are served at the following times. When weather permits, meals often take place on Kay Hall’s deck or on picnic tables for outdoor dining.
Breakfast - 8:00 AM
Lunch - 12:00 PM
Dinner - 6:00 PM
Breakfast options are self-serve, and can be found in the Resident fridge or on the kitchen counter. Breakfast items will be put away by 10:30 AM.
Lunch options are served buffet-style, and set up on the kitchen counter or directly on the dining room table in Kay Hall’s main room. Lunch items are put away by 1:00 PM.
Dinner is served family-style, and will be set up either outdoors (weather permitting) or on the dining room table in Kay Hall’s main room.
SPACE team members and the occasional guest may join residents for communal lunches or dinners.
While there are no printed or pre-set menus, you are very much encouraged to make food requests and provide feedback before or during your time at SPACE.
Residents do not have private kitchen access for cooking, prepping, or assembling personal meals/snacks. You can, however, use the microwave to heat up leftovers any time you’d like. (Leftovers can be found in the Resident fridge.)
SPACE takes all necessary precautions in our kitchens and culinary prep areas when it comes to food safety and sanitation. We regularly monitor updates and guidelines from the CDC, WHO, and ServSafe.
Snacks, Alcohol, and Sweets
While various desserts are in steady rotation on SPACE menus, please note that we do not serve dessert every day, and we do not serve alcohol with meals. There is, however, a coffee and tea station in Kay Hall that is maintained throughout each day.
If you'd like to stock up on snacks or sweets, Instacart and Grubhub offer delivery within the hour to SPACE from area supermarkets and convenience stores. Grubhub offers delivery from a large and varied selection of regional restaurants. Instacart also offers beer, wine, and spirits for delivery.
You will have 24/7 access to a designated snack-storage area and full-sized Resident fridge to store your personal food and beverages.
If you snack in your rooms, please be mindful of crumbs, open packaging, uncovered wastebaskets, and anything else that might attract flies or other critters. Pest management is a constant battle when living/working on a farm! We work hard to maintain clean and safe living quarters for guests and SPACE team members. Please avoid storing food, candy, or snacks in bedrooms or common areas for this reason. The fridges in your bedrooms are for storing medicine, skin care, breast milk, etc.
Food Philosophy
Our culinary ethos is rooted in the following practices:
Plant-forward and pantry-inspired. Lots of vegetables, as often as possible. Our emphasis is on hyper-local produce (from Ryder Farm), as well as sustainability, availability, and seasonality.
Very little to no waste. We continuously repurpose leftovers, and often utilize stems and scraps in our meals before composting.
Practical, not performative. Resident meals at SPACE don't revolve around a chef's ego, trendy ingredients, or what looks good in a photo. We cook for sustenance, nutrient density, fun, and deliciousness.
Radical hospitality at the table and on the plate. We believe in cultivating a sense of abundance and generosity at mealtimes. Servings are always plentiful, and the mood is always welcoming and inclusive.
Food Allergies and Dietary Restrictions
SPACE takes dietary restrictions and food allergies very seriously. While we do frequently serve meats, poultry, and eggs, we are very comfortable with vegetarian and vegan diets. We can also happily accommodate dairy-free, soy-free, and gluten-free diets.
SPACE may not be able to accommodate individuals with extremely sensitive nut allergies; celiac disease; or any similar instance in which cross-contamination cannot occur because of medical risk. Due to our limited facilities, we cannot offer fully kosher meals.
Residents with severe allergies or other dietary concerns are encouraged to contact residencies@spaceonryderfarm.org. We are happy to discuss more complex needs, and will make every attempt to accommodate requests.