East Coast Kitchen Party: A Ceilidh-Inspired Program to Reduce Social Isolation and Food Insecurity Among LGBTQIA+ Newcomers

Abstract

East Coast Kitchen Party is a ceilidh-inspired program designed and implemented in 2022 to reduce the impacts of social isolation and food insecurity as a pathway to improving the mental wellness of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) newcomers in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Developed through a partnership between Nova Scotia Health Mental Health and Addictions Health Promotion and the YMCA Centre for Immigrant Programs, the program combined cultural cooking activities, nutrition education, and mental wellness workshops. The program emphasized peer-to-peer learning, leadership development, and culturally responsive mental wellness practices. Six sessions were held between June 2022 and February 2023, engaging 6–10 participants each. Each session invited participants to share a culturally significant recipe, fostering pride, storytelling, and connection. Discussions following the meals addressed themes such as transitioning to life in Canada and building community, with interpretation services ensuring accessibility. Evaluation through surveys and oral feedback informed iterative improvements. Challenges included food affordability, participant transience, and varying support needs based on immigration status and time in Canada. Despite these, the program successfully created inclusive spaces for LGBTQIA+ newcomers to connect, share, and heal. The initiative highlighted the importance of meeting participants where they are, recognizing the diversity within the newcomer experience, and using food as a bridge to build trust and community. The success of East Coast Kitchen Party has inspired interest in expanding the model through new partnerships, aiming to deepen connections between LGBTQIA+ newcomers and the broader community.