Upcoming events

2:30-4pm Saturday, June 13

Panel discussion: Nourishing Body and Mind: Bates Contemplates Food

Bates has spent the year contemplating and celebrating food through the initiative Nourishing Body and Mind: Bates Contemplates Food. This panel provides a great opportunity to learn more about the College’s yearlong celebration and meet members of the Bates community involved in varied food issues. Join Director of Dining Christine Schwartz, Professor of Russian Jane Costlow, Borealis Breads owner Jim Amaral ’80 and Danielle Scherer '11 for a lively discussion, and enjoy delicious local foods.

Pettengill Hall, Keck Classroom (G52)

11am-1:30pm Tuesday-Wednesday, June 16-17

Cats Cup Culinary Challenge

In the fifth annual contest, faculty and staff are asked to bring an appetite to lunch in Commons, and plan to vote for their favorite Dining Services team. No charge to members of the campus community.

Commons

June 26-Aug. 7: Family Fridays

Faculty, staff and their immediate families are invited for Friday dinners at a reduced rate. Children under 8 eat for free and those 8 and older are charged $4.50. Bates ID required.

Commons

Past events

7:30pm Monday, March 30

Food-justice activist and author Mark Winne '72

Author of Closing the Food Gap — Resetting the Table in the Land of Plenty, Winne gives a talk titled "Food Justice and Good Food -- When Shall the Twain Meet?" Sponsored by the Bates Contemplates Food Planning Committee. A reception and book signing follow in the Benjamin Mays Center, 95 Russell St. FMI: 207-786-6336.

Olin Arts Center Concert Hall, 75 Russell St. 

3pm Thursday, April 2

Cats Convivium: Comfort Food Makeover

Making some of participants' favorite recipes not just good but good for them, Dining Services experts lead a cooking class for faculty and staff. They will demonstrate the preparation of up to three dishes and provide printed recipes and ingredients for those dishes, as well as pre-made side dishes and dessert for four so participants can replicate a meal for dinner the same night. Limited to 20 faculty and staff participants; one session per participant. To register, follow the Events tab in the Garnet Gateway.

Dining Commons, Room 211

3pm Thursday, May 7

Cats Convivium: Sizzling Summer Salads

Dining Services experts help participants shape up for the summer sun in this cooking class for faculty and staff. They will demonstrate the preparation of up to three dishes and provide printed recipes and ingredients for those dishes, as well as pre-made side dishes and dessert for four so participants can replicate a meal for dinner the same night. Limited to 20 faculty and staff participants; one session per participant. To register, follow the Events tab in the Garnet Gateway.

Dining Commons, Room 211

7:30pm Tuesday, March 24

'Global Food Crisis' lecture by agricultural economist

Cornell professor Per Pinstrup-Andersen addresses the topic "The Global Food Crisis and World Poverty" in a talk sponsored by the economics department. Rescheduled from March 2.

Pettengill Hall, Keck Classroom (G52)

3pm Thursday, March 5

Cats Convivium: Tofu Is Your Friend

Learn to love vegan cuisine as Dining Services experts lead a cooking class for faculty and staff. They will demonstrate the preparation of up to three dishes and provide printed recipes and ingredients for those dishes, as well as pre-made side dishes and dessert for four so participants can replicate a meal for dinner the same night. Limited to 20 faculty and staff participants; one session per participant. To register, follow the Events tab in the Garnet Gateway.

Dining Commons, Room 211

5:30pm Friday, March 6

Creole Table: Jamaica

A language/cultural program of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Creole Table meets on selected Friday evenings. Each meeting combines dinner and discussion about a particular Creole society. Tonight the presenter is Terehas Edwards '11 of Kingston, Jamaica. Seating is limited and RVSPs are a must: Contact lkongwin@bates.edu.

Multicultural Center

4:30pm Monday, March 16

Panel discussion on food issues in Maine

Bates alumni involved in food production and nutrition in Maine discuss a variety of issues. Speakers are: Borealis Breads founder Jim Amaral '80; Maine farmers Steve Hoad '72 of Windsor and Nicolas Lindholm '86 of Penobscot; and Kirsten Walter '00, founder of Lots to Gardens and director of the St. Mary's Nutrition Center of Maine. Sponsored by the Bates Contemplates Food Planning Committee. FMI: 207-786-6336.

Pettengill Hall, Keck Classroom (G52)

6:30pm Thursday, Feb. 26

Oxfam America Hunger Banquet

The Bates Students Against Poverty hold an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet, which demonstrates how food and other resources are inequitably distributed in the world by partitioning guests randomly into "high," "middle" and "low-income" groups. Guest speaker Kim Wettlaufer '80, executive director of Trinity Jubilee Center, Lewiston, speaks about his experiences helping those in need at the local level. Members of the campus and Lewiston-Auburn communities are welcome. Please RSVP as soon as possible to Nawshaba Nawreen '11.

Edmund S. Muskie Archives

Noon Tuesday, Jan. 27

Public Works in Progress Series: Food Insecurity in Lewiston: Mapping Community Needs

The Harward Center for Community Partnerships offers a presentation by Michelle Vasquez Jacobus, assistant professor of social and behavioral sciences, and David Harris, associate professor of natural and applied sciences, University of Southern Maine, Lewiston-Auburn College. Participation is limited to 35: Please RSVP here.

Harward Center, 161-163 Wood St.

3pm Thursday, Feb. 5

Cats Convivium: Wok Your Way to Health

Learn the ancient Bobcat secret to Asian cooking as Dining Services experts lead a cooking class for faculty and staff. They will demonstrate the preparation of up to three dishes and provide printed recipes and ingredients for those dishes, as well as pre-made side dishes and dessert for four so participants can replicate a meal for dinner the same night. Limited to 20 faculty and staff participants; one session per participant. To register, follow the Events tab in the Garnet Gateway.

Dining Commons, Room 211

4:30pm Monday, Dec. 8

Literary Cafe: Readings about food

The Writing Workshop and friends host this time for faculty and staff to enjoy literature, music, food, wine, and collegial conversation. Features short readings by Myron Beasley, Jonathan Skinner, Rick Wile and others. Mellow music by John Smedley and Tim Clough.

Chase Hall, The Bobcat Den

5pm Wednesday, Dec. 3

Christmas Dinner

The annual celebratory meal sponsored by the Bates Christian Fellowship offers good food, fun and reflections on the meaning of the holiday. All are welcome but RSVPs are necessary as space is limited to about 100. Please e-mail rwason@bates.edu.

Benjamin Mays Center

3pm Thursday, Dec. 4

Cats Convivium: Sweet and Healthy

Dining Services experts prove that you don't have to deprive your sweet tooth to eat healthy in this cooking class for faculty and staff. They will demonstrate the preparation of up to three dishes and provide printed recipes and ingredients for those dishes, as well as pre-made side dishes and dessert for four so participants can replicate a meal for dinner the same night. Limited to 20 faculty and staff participants; one session per participant. To register, follow the Events tab in the Garnet Gateway.

Dining Commons, Room 221

3pm Thursday, Nov. 13

Cats Convivium: Thanksgiving with a Local Flair

Using some of their favorite local ingredients to enhance the Thanksgiving table, Dining Services experts lead a cooking class. They will demonstrate the preparation of up to three dishes and provide printed recipes and ingredients for those dishes, as well as pre-made side dishes and dessert for four so participants can replicate a meal for dinner the same night. Limited to 20 faculty and staff participants; one session per participant. To register, follow the Events tab in the Garnet Gateway.

Dining Commons, Room 221

4:30pm Wednesday, Nov. 19

Harvest Meal

"Bates Fare," the theme for this annual Bates tradition, gives the event a country-fair feel, with kettle corn and Capt.'n Eli's Beverages among the special treats and a "Trashion Fashion Show" highlighting Bates students' flair for "green" creativity. Open to the campus community, with families welcome: Faculty and staff admission is $12 adults/$6 children 7–12 years old; under 7 enter free. Tickets go on sale Nov. 6 at Milt's. See the menu.

Commons and Gray Athletic Building (dessert and Trashion Fashion Show)

7pm Wednesday, Oct. 29

Film screening: Maine growers by Bates students

The environmental studies program sponsors a screening of two documentary films about local food producers, For the Love of Small Scale and Fowl Play, made by students in a 2004 environmental studies course under the instruction of filmmaker Melissa Paly.

Olin Arts Center, Room 104

6pm Wednesday, Oct. 29

Thesis potluck supper exploring local and industrial food systems

Got milk? Want to know how it got here, what's in it and what it really does for you? Dairy is the topic in the second in a series of food-themed thesis potlucks; for more information and your first food mission, please R.S.V.P.

111 Bardwell St.

7:30pm Monday, Oct. 27

Michael Pollan offers Otis Lecture

For the annual Otis Lecture, influential food writer Michael Pollan offers a talk titled "In Defense of Food: The Omnivore's Solution."

College Chapel, College Street.

8:30pm Saturday, Oct. 4

Panel Discussion: Nourishing Body and Mind: Bates Contemplates Food

Join Bates students, young alumni, faculty and staff members for a panel discussion about the thread that connects us all to each other and our community -– food. Many people are asking questions about what they eat, where it came from and how it got to their plate. The College is examining these issues more deeply during our year-long celebration of food awareness, Nourishing Body and Mind: Bates Contemplates Food. Panelists will discuss the distinctions in Bates’ longstanding, thoughtful, sustainable and nourishing approach to food on campus, the greater community and beyond. Please join us for a reception featuring local fare following this lively panel discussion.

Jarnryd Room, New Commons Building

5-7pm Saturday, Oct. 4

Annual Parents & Family Weekend Harvest Dinner

A delicious and convenient option for families who wish to skip the local restaurant scene and stay on campus for dinner. Pre-registration required. Pick up your reserved tickets when you check in at Pettengill Hall. There is no program at the dinner, so feel free to arrive anytime between 5 and 7 p.m.

Underhill Arena

4:15pm Monday, Sept. 29

Lecture explores psychology of food choices 

Paul Rozin, the Edmund J. and Louise W. Kahn Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, offers a lecture titled "The Psychology of Food and Eating" as part of the psychology department's "Diversity and Domains of Life" lecture series, supported by the Mellon Innovation Fund at Bates.

Pettengill Hall, Keck Classroom (G52)