Community Soulfood

Soulfood restaurant nourishes community connections

Tamara Mercandelli, Christel Hagn and Caitlin Berkhiem, owners of Soulfood restaurant, are supporting and strengthening community connections in Cranbrook. — Marie Milner photo

In the spirit of the Suspended Coffees initiative that they brought to Cranbrook earlier this year, Tamara Mercandelli, Christel Hagn and Caitlin Berkhiem of Soulfood restaurant hosted a community breakfast on July 4.

This was no typical free breakfast—there were no pancakes and no paper plates. Colourful fresh fruit, locally-sourced yogurt, home-made granola and baked goods from the Soulfood ovens were available at no charge for anyone who cared to drop by. Anyone who wished to make a monetary contribution was welcome to do so, and those funds will be added to the Suspended Coffee account.

The primary motive of the owners, however, is to strengthen community. They plan to offer a community breakfast on the first Tuesday of every month, and hope to see groups of friends, co-workers and families come together to share a meal and nourish their connections—with each other and with the greater community. 

“It’s our hope the breakfast will also help increase awareness about our Suspended Coffees initiative so more people who could potentially benefit from it are aware of it and feel comfortable accessing it,” said Mercandelli. “We welcome everyone to the table.”

The Effray family applauds Soulfood restaurant for the example it sets for generosity and caring through Suspended Coffees and community breakfasts. — Marie Milner photo