A few months ago I designed an Iraqi-inspired meal-kit delivery box with Out of the Box Collective that delivered within and beyond the greater Los Angeles area. The goal was to introduce people to Iraqi food in the hopes that they might think about Iraq in a new context and what that might mean. I wondered if people would actually take my message into consideration when making the meals or if they would simply eat the food and go on with their lives.
And then I received this incredible letter, which I'll leave you with.
Apologies that this email took so long. I wanted you to know that our “Add a Little Lemon” Iraqi box was extra special. During each night of cooking and eating we talked about how the food was from a far away country named Iraq. We loved every bite of it, and especially fun was the drama of sizzling turmeric oil and serving on giant platters and the funny instructions like “don’t be lazy, tembal”Anyway, my 3 year old has recently taken a keen interest in maps and finding countries/states/etc. He showed me a doodle of a map he had drawn declaring, “This is Iraq!” So I just love love love that his first associations with Iraq - just as Sara was hoping - will not be violent or terrible, but delicious and wonderful instead.
THANK YOU!!!
Cheers,
Christine