Join us for this “Cafe Society with WBEZ” discussion featuring Martha Bayne, founder of Soup and Bread and the author of The Soup & Bread Cookbook.

For Bayne, soup is not just a simple dish to make or eat. It’s a force for bringing people together. It’s a social tool for fundraisers, art and community building. Come for conversation (and soup!) and explore the soup kitchen re-imagined for the 21st century.

From “Martha Bayne Discusses The Soup & Bread Cookbook” published at Quimby’s blog:

“Everybody loves soup. But why? Sure, it’s nutritious, affordable, and infinitely variable. Soup can be a rustic meal in a bowl or a dainty palate cleanser…It soothes the sick, it nourishes the poor - and it can trick children into eating their veggies. And, alone among foods, a pot of soup can be a powerful tool to both draw people together and help them to reach out to others. The Soup & Bread Cookbook, inspired by author Martha Bayne’s Soup & Bread series at Chicago’s Hideout, aims to explore this social role of soup, in the midst of a collection of terrific, affordable recipes from food activists, chefs, and others, providing a quirky exploration of the cultural history of soup - and its natural ally, bread - as a tool for both building community and fostering social justice.”

Questions for Consideration:
- What is the power of soup (and food) in building community?
- How can soup be a tool for social justice?
- When is a meal just a meal, a bowl of soup just a bowl of soup?

Support for Chicago Public Media’s Community Bureaus is provided in part by Dr. Scholl Foundation, Met Life Foundation, and Crown Family Philanthropies.

Created by The Public Square, a program of the Illinois Humanities Council, Café Society is a series of conversations where families, friends, neighbors, and citizens come together to discuss current events and other important political and social issues. By engaging in the meaningful exchange of ideas and perspectives, these conversations aim to enliven the core of democracy and empower the public.