History

 

From its grassroots origins, the Seasoned Spoon evolved from a Stone Soup Project on campus run by the OPIRG Food Issues Group (FIG). FIG started serving local, organic soup by donation in 2002. The Stone Soup project challenged the food service monopoly that Aramark had at Trent University, offering staff and students more diverse choices as well as food for thought about the prevailing institutional food policies. As the initiative grew the project elected a Board of Directors to better represent them. With their new business model, the now named Seasoned Spoon Café began working towards a more permanent place. Since that time, the Spoon has evolved from a small group of committed volunteers serving soup every other week to a dynamic café with hundreds of staff, volunteers, and cooperative members.

The Seasoned Spoon's grand opening took place on February 25th, 2003, in the Cat's Ass Pub in Otonabee College. In the Spring of 2003, the Spoon relocated to what was then the Champlain Junior Common Room and officially opened in that space on November 18th, 2003. In 2006, the Spoon partnered with the Trent Vegetable Gardens, a volunteer-driven levy group who continues to provide the bulk of the Spoon’s fresh produce to this day. In the fall of 2009, the Seasoned Spoon relocated once again, downstairs to the sunnier and more spacious Champlain Senior Common Room. Students and community members can now enjoy their soup while taking in the scenic view of the Otonabee River! In 2012, the Spoon’s root cellar was built with the help of the Endeavour Centre. The root cellar works to store fresh produce, allowing the Spoon to work with fresh produce throughout the fall and winter semester. In 2016, the Spoon joined Trent University’s meal plan. This enabled Trent students to purchase meals from the Spoon through their dining plan. 

We are grateful to all the dedicated Trent students, staff and volunteers who have helped make the Spoon what it is today. 

Click here to see photos of our 20th Anniversary Celebration, which was held March 18th, 2023.

 

A little bit about OPIRG

Since 1973, the Peterborough Chapter of the Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) has been pursuing social justice and environmental activism on the Trent campus and in the Peterborough community. Over time, OPIRG has worked on a wide range of issues and has seen its alumni go on to contribute to other social justice and environmental movements. OPIRG continues to be a dynamic organization where many Trent students learn the skills and knowledge they need to become active and involved citizens. Find out more about OPIRG here.