The big idea

19th July 2009 was the first Big Lunch and now the seed has been sown we look forward to the event growing year after year.

The original idea came from the Eden Project, where getting people to reconnect with their natural world and demonstrating what can be done by people working together is core to the project’s charity work.

“Our aim was for people to get out on their street, raise a glass and share a bite with their neighbours – that’s The Big Lunch.” – Eden Project Chief Executive Tim Smit

Together we are strong

Most of us are shy, many of us lead single lives and even when we are together often go our own way. We all know about the problems in our society and don’t need to be preached at. But inside almost everyone there is a notion that, despite our differences, the ties that bind us are important.

The shared enjoyment of eating together, laughter, play, music and conversation bring us together and for all the fact that we are so fabulously different in our outlook and experience on many things, we know a simple truth – together we are strong. Wouldn’t it be great if for just one day we remind ourselves about all that is good about us and bring about a moment that ignites a spark?

It may be tricky, it may feel slightly uncomfortable to start with. It takes a bit of courage to stop being a stranger. But think of the prize – to be able to walk down the street and into the wider neighbourhood and realise how many good people there are: people who, acting together, can create a real sense of community – a word that in Latin means ‘together, in gift’.

Human warming, not global warming

We know from studies around the world that there is almost a mathematical correlation between people’s sense of security and happiness and the number of neighbours they actively know. Now, amidst the worst recession for decades, and in the face of almost overwhelming environmental problems, we need to focus on community.

We need ‘human warming’ – communal social and environmental action, not just individual actions – as the antidote to ‘global warming’ and ‘global isolation’.

Imagine if, one day, 61 million people sat down to a Big Lunch...