We are working to build a new 'Third Place' where people can grow, cook and eat food communally.In collaboration with Transition Kerry, Tralee Community Allotments, and MTU Tralee, we brought this vision to life.
Lár | October 2026 Pilot
We kicked off the pilot with a community launch night, bringing people together over local apple pressing and shared food.This momentum carried into two hands-on workshops. Twenty participants rolled up their sleeves alongside our local Chef, John McCall, and two student chefs from MTU.
The Numbers
Total Output: Between the group, we prepared about 311 meals.Value: With a total food spend of €616.23, the meals cost roughly €1.98 per portion.Local Support: We kept the money in the community, sourcing directly from Manna Organic Store and local Kerry hunters for wild venison, which was prepared by a local butcher.Zero Waste: Across the entire pilot, our fresh food waste was very low due to careful planning.Giving Back: We broke even on our costs and donated our remaining profit directly to Tralee Community Allotments.
The Impact
We surveyed our pilot participants after the workshops to measure the real-world impact of creating a shared, community-focused food space.Building Real Community:
100% of participants felt a stronger sense of local connection, stepping outside their usual routines to collaborate and share meals with neighbours.Mastering Skills & Zero Waste:
From making rich stocks out of veg peelings to mastering knife skills with a pro chef, 100% left with the confidence to cook zero-waste meals from scratch.Reclaiming Midweek Evenings:
Having nutrient-dense, prepped meals in the freezer saved families time, cut takeaway dependency, and took the stress out of midweek dinners.Sustaining Local Agriculture:
Participants overwhelmingly confirmed they are more likely to buy and cook with locally grown produce going forward.
Community Voices
Direct quotes from our anonymous pilot participant survey (October 2026)
"Having protein-rich meals batch-cooked allowed my family to all eat together. Both my kids have sensory issues and are fussy, but they loved the venison chilli burritos and ragu! It was lovely to have a 'night out' doing something I love while knowing the food was ethically sourced. It’s more than community—it’s heritage."
"It gave my son and I an opportunity to cook together and share a common interest in a purpose-built kitchen with master chefs leading the experience. It was a totally out-of-the-ordinary experience."
"It felt really nice to experience the full loop for food—cooking together in an industrial kitchen, getting to know local people with shared interests, and taking home healthy meals for the week."
"An activity outside our usual routine that helps structure the rest of my week by condensing cooking time down in one go."
"It was a genuinely memorable life experience. I loved learning how to make a stock from scratch using veg peels, reducing waste, and stepping away from artificially processed foods."
Contact
If you have any questions, reach out to Peadar at: info (at) lar.social
