2025 MLK Day of Service: EquiTable

EquiTable is a food justice organization committed to transforming local food systems through advocacy, design innovation, and community-driven initiatives. With expertise in environmental sustainability, food policy, and culinary arts, our diverse team works to address systemic barriers and promote equity in every project. Guided by the principles of practicality, equity, and joy, we envision a future where public kitchens foster connection, understanding, and positive change—creating spaces that turn cooking into a powerful tool for building stronger, more inclusive communities.

Project Brief:

The project focuses on a design of a new Public Kitchen as a permanent home to provide a “third space” for the community. EquiTable was seeking 3D visualizations of interior and exterior potential designs and floor plans as well as renovation schemes of the Harvest on Vine Food Pantry location in Charlestown, MA.

Day of Service:

During our site visit, we engaged in thoughtful discussions with the organization, carefully assessing their existing conditions, needs, and aspirations. Following our visit to Charlestown, the team took on various roles, developing physical models, drafting plans, and analyzing the site to generate potential design ideas. By the day of service, these elements were well-prepared for exploration. We organized into three focused groups—outdoor spaces, the kitchen, and the gathering/reading nook—allowing each member to contribute their creative ideas and refine them into tangible solutions.

Later, our community partners, Andrea and Mark, joined us in a collaborative design process. Their insights helped clarify our questions, ensured we remained aligned with the users’ needs and goals, and allowed us to utilize the physical model to better understand the space and identify opportunities for future improvements. This day was filled with dedication, creativity, and meaningful collaboration, and we are honored to be part of this impactful project.