The best feeling in the world comes from feeding people.

I've been struggling to find the words to express this phenomena I have been having. I have been scratching my head and getting a little philosophical today.

I really find a sense of fulfillment when I can create something that can be consumed and get it in the hands of people who will eat it. I've been recently distributing eggs to friends and family and it really fills me with a sense of pride. I can bring in a bushel of squash to work and when it is gone by quitting time I just feel like I'm on cloud nine. Am I alone in this? I'm fine being considered goofy but the feeling is so palpable I wanted to make a thread about it.

I'm not innately a charitable person, it isn't something that I have been raised with outside helping people directly when they need help. I'm more introverted and I don't believe recognition is what is fueling the feeling for me. Maybe it is simply the ability to provide?

Share your thoughts!

Looks like you've managed to strike a chord in your spirit.  Something fundamental that's in your make-up as a human being and a man.  It's awesome that you're having this experience -- long may it last.  I'm taking notes!

I, too enjoy feeding people.

For me, it is the camaraderie.

The friendship, having conversations and the fun of just being with folks.

This is why I love pot lucks, Christmas and Thanksgiving...

Along the same lines, our daughter has an egg business with lots of customers ... and she does not charge for the eggs.  She gives the eggs as a thank you to her client in her real life job.

Anne Miller wrote:
For me, it is the camaraderie.

Camaraderie is such a good word to help me explain it. It is definitely that person to person connection.

I haven't participated in potlucks before, I went to them as a kid. I think you may have given me an idea!

Thank you Anne.

Hi Timothy,
You are definitely not alone. I too get extreme satisfaction from growing or raising something that turns into food and feeding my family or friends with it. I am not feeling philosophical enough today to theorize why this brings such good feelings :)

I do recall a talk that Joel Salatin did, talking about how people who have worked in offices, especially tech, for so long, come out and have such a feeling of accomplishment in building a fence or a chicken tractor. That visceral work is much more satisfying than papers or keyboards.

John is a retired chef and I'm a former baker, who used to dream of having my own patisserie (honey, there's a REASON we're round!, lol). Feeding people is one of our favorite love languages. We both love to see peoples eyes light up, when they see, smell, & taste what we're cooking/ baking, fermenting - sharing.

For me, this spills over into my herbalism, too - all the salves, oils, ointments, tinctures, teas, etc... When something we make fills a need &/or brings pleasure to others, it fills needs in us, like wanting to be needed/ useful, being relevant, having a purpose, making a difference in someone else's life, and the aforementioned camaraderie. I'm finding, as I get older, those things are becoming even more important, to me.

Yeah, for sure. Feeding people is tremendously fulfilling. I've only given away my produce so far, but the people I've chosen to share with have been exceptionally grateful and it's a real pleasure to share. Even more than that is my cooking. I do most of the family cooking and we all seem to like it that way. I'm built to take care of folks and my wife and daughter are built to be taken care of, so it mostly works out with everyone getting what they need even if it looks one-sided from the outside.

When I was young, I was a ceramic arts student at university, and participated in several student sales. Selling something you made with your hands to someone who chose that over everything else at the table, so you know they're getting what they wanted, is also a real thrill. I bet selling food I cooked would tick both boxes at once, but I've never done that.

I spent some time offline this week, harvesting winter veg and that was getting out of control with our decidedly unwintery weather. The best part is distributing it. 20 pounds of daikon radishes and sweet passionfruit (something that costs $$$, IF you can find it in the stores) found some new homes. I agree, it's the best feeling in the world.

When I was a kid (in a family that was really pinched, financially) I distinctly recall thinking i couldn't wait to have to money to be generous and show hospitality when i wanted to- to not have to count every nickel. It took me a long time but I feel like the best feeling in the world is to cook for people, as you've mentioned (and to make sure that the person with the weird food restriction who usually gets short shrift has something fabulous). My husband grew up the same way and our favorite thing is to throw a big party where I cook all morning and then he mans the grill all afternoon. We go to other people's houses and throw the parties, sometimes, that is how much we like doing it.
Giving away daikon radishes is slightly different, but I love 1) having the luxury to do so and 2) having the people to give them to.

Carla Burke wrote:When something we make fills a need &/or brings pleasure to others, it fills needs in us, like wanting to be needed/ useful, being relevant, having a purpose, making a difference in someone else's life, and the aforementioned camaraderie. I'm finding, as I get older, those things are becoming even more important, to me.

Oh man Carla, I think you hit that right on the head. I'm realizing now that I'm the one people are coming to when they want to know what to do with XX or how to fix YY, which is new for me. Then I remember I'm 50 (!! how did that happen) and while I may not be swimming in grandkids I love the idea of having knowledge to share. I am enjoying this life stage a lot.

Tereza Okava wrote:
...and to make sure that the person with the weird food restriction who usually gets short shrift has something fabulous...
...I'm realizing now that I'm the one people are coming to when they want to know what to do with XX or how to fix YY, which is new for me. Then I remember I'm 50 (!! how did that happen) and while I may not be swimming in grandkids I love the idea of having knowledge to share. I am enjoying this life stage a lot.

I feel all of this, too - except, I'm 60, now. 😵🤯

Being one of those people with the weird dietary restrictions, it's rare that I'm in the receiving end of something made just so *I* can enjoy it, other than John cooking for both our weirdness. That being what it is, we always go that extra mile, when making for others, inquiring of guests and friends about their allergies/ sensitivities, tastes, etc, too ensure they are included in whatever we make.  A neighbor made gluten free cupcakes (from scratch) just for me, a couple years ago, and it touched my heart so much, I sobbed my thank yous on her shoulder.