Making connections over food

Quinoa-crusted diver scallops perched on top of wilted spinach and potato-parsnip purée, with golden beet and crabmeat “cannelloni,” and a duet of red beet and passion fruit reductions.OK, I’m guilty. I took a photo of my plate at a fabulous restaurant and posted it to Facebook. For whatever reason, I wanted all my friends to see what a wonderful meal I was about to enjoy. Lame? Maybe. But apparently, I’m not alone.

I recently attended a presentation by Louie Gentine, president and chief customer officer of Sargento. He was speaking to the Milwaukee chapter of the American Marketing Association about top food trends that are influencing his business. He mentioned that there is a rising trend of people looking for a shared food experience. Social media and mobile technology have allowed us to be more connected than ever — and what better way to connect than over food?

Think about all the food blogs out there where self-proclaimed foodies share their experiences about the food they make or eat. And consider the mobile food carts where people gather to try new things. Is this phenomenon really about the food? Or is it more about the sense of community these foodies feel as a result of hunting down their favorite food cart? But this trend isn’t exclusive to bustling city streets.

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Community extends beyond the city limits

Social media, online communities and engagement are popular buzzwords. Every marketer seems to be thinking about the next great way to get customers to interact online — to come together as a result of the brand.

In my opinion, it’s human nature to want to gather together and share common experiences. But forget about computers and the Internet for a moment, and instead think about the original, offline community.

I grew up in a small town of about 2,000 people in Cuba City, Wis. It’s rural; small family farms dot the landscape, and you can often find yourself stuck behind a slow-moving piece of farm equipment when you’re almost to your destination. And, typical in Cuba City or any small town, news can travel fast — whether it’s good news or tragic news. I’ve seen the small community of Cuba City rally together to celebrate the feats of the high school sports teams, as well as come together to mourn a loss. It’s something I’ve probably taken for granted now that I live in Milwaukee, but it still humbles me when I hear of how a small community comes together to make a big impact.

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Gleason, Hazel Green, Wis.Just down the road from Cuba City is an even smaller community called Hazel Green. The village boasts a population of 1,200 living in a very close-knit neighborhood. It offers quiet, country-like living but is close to the three main cities in the tri-state area of southwestern Wisconsin.

This close-knit neighborhood grew even closer when U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Jesse Grindey, a Hazel Green native, died in Afghanistan serving his country. He

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Please go to facebook.com/partnersforhumanity and vote for the Urban Ecology Center. If the ad we created for them has the most votes by Dec. 6, the Urban Ecology Center will receive a $500 donation.

Partners for Humanity is an annual program that’s centered on giving back to the community. Advertising agencies in Milwaukee — like us! — create pro-bono ad

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