Montgomery County Council members were among the dozens of attendees that graced the inaugural Afrithrive Taste of Africa food festival held in Rockville.
“Food carries memories. Food connects generaions. One familiar taste makes us travel thousands of miles,” said Afrithrive CEO Dr. Truphena Choti.
“That is the Taste of Africa we are bringing here tonight. We are celebrating our culture and [tonight] you are going to experience flavors from the five regions of Africa. These flavors carry traditions and they tell stories from our beautiful continent of Africa.”
Taste of Africa brings is a gathering for an evening built around the food, music, and traditions that define African communities. Guests enjoy authentic African cuisine as a marker for meaningful connection in support of AfriThrive’s mission for food security.
Food equity challenge
Council President Natali Fani Gonzales (District 6) was joined by Shebra Evans (At-Large) and Kate Stewart (District 4) at the event. The leaders hailing the event as a great platform to voice food equity challenges facing immigrant communities.
“It is amazing what food can do in communities. Just sharing the things that you love, the flavor makes us understand that we are more powewrful when we work together and food does that,” said Council President Gonzales.
“I am astrong believer that if you want kids to understand food and have healthy lives you need to teach them and educate them where the food comes from. It’s not doordash, as some think. It comes from the earth and we have a duty to teach them.”
Connection through food
For Councilmember Evans, the event’s significance transcends just food from a nutrition perspective to connecting people to their culture.
“Afrithrive is filling the gap that the county cannot do alone to make sure that communities can thrive and one of the best ways is through food,” noted Evans.
“We want our communities to know that no matter where you are from we want Montgomery County to feel like home and that is why organizations like Afrithrive to make sure that people feel connected.”
Different African cuisines were on display, with attendees getting the chance to sample as many varieties as they could, with proceeds from the event going on to support Afrithrive’s Food As Medicine program.
“As Afrithrive we believe that this food should be available to all irrespective of social or economic status or country of origin.”
AfriThrive is a nonprofit organization based in Maryland and Washington DC seeking to build vibrant, resilient communities through food security, education, cultural connection, and sustainable development.
