WHO WE ARE
Food is memory.
Food is resistance.
Food is culture.
Feed the Soul YEG is a city-wide celebration of restaurants, food producers and storytellers who make culturally significant foods more accessible in Edmonton.
We bring people together through food experiences, including pop-up dinners, cooking workshops and dining weeks, that serve as a gateway and invitation to learn about the histories, cultures and recipes shaping our community.
We are a Black-led volunteer organization founded to highlight Edmonton’s Black-owned restaurants that enrich our local food community. Grounded in this legacy, we utilize our team’s Black experiences and perspectives to create meaningful opportunities to collaborate and gather with those who believe in building a more inviting, culturally accessible and vibrant food community.
Meet the Team
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Rochelle Ignacio (She/her)
Founder & Co-Lead
“I started Feed the Soul to celebrate and spotlight Edmonton’s Black-owned restaurant community. Over time, I’ve come to see how our dining week and events connect to a larger food sovereignty movement and the preservation of ancestral foodways. I’m grateful for the volunteers who keep us rooted in community and am feeling inspired as we expand Feed the Soul’s work to support both Black and racialized communities.”
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Maurice Humphrey (He/Him)
Creative Lead
"I volunteer with Feed The Soul to feed my curiosity of cultural cuisine. I love finding and experiencing new things, especially local restaurants providing great food"
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JESSICA DODDS (SHE/HER)
Lead Accountant
"I volunteer with Feed The Soul as a way to connect with my community. Food is a universal language that speaks in a way that anyone can understand. Some of my fondest memories have been made over slurping noodles with others. I'm delighted to be a part of a team that will amplify stories of Black-owned businesses in the city and can't wait to see how the year unfolds.”
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Keon Jeffrey (He/Him)
Operations Support
Bio Coming Soon
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Lola Adegun (She/Her)
Finance Coordinator
"I volunteer with Feed the Soul to give back to my community and execute exciting innovations. As a foodie, I value the spotlight it shines on Black-owned cuisine. On the team, I specialize in delivering client services with a focus on financial administration."
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Ashley Prasad (She/Her)
Event Support
"I volunteer with Feed The Soul because I love food; cooking, eating, exploring. Moreso, I’m passionate about being involved in my community and supporting the culture we crave. It’s amazing to see how diverse yet versatile so many ingredients are when used in dishes around the world, and so similar in so many ways, just like us when we come together.“
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Jessica Romanchuk
Graphic Design Support
“I’m inspired by adventure and culture and Feed The Soul ignites exactly that right here in our own city! I believe local restaurants and cafes are such an integral hub and birthplace for community, so it’s very meaningful for me to help out. I love the diversity we have here in Edmonton, and I want to see racialized restaurants & communities thrive.”
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Lynsee Leahy
Event Support
“I joined Feed the Soul because I’m passionate about food, culture, and community. I love discovering and supporting the incredible local talent that makes Edmonton’s food scene so special. I’m also deeply interested in growing food and promoting food security, and I believe that access to good, local food strengthens both individuals and communities. Volunteering with Feed the Soul gives me the chance to celebrate those stories, connect with others who share that passion, and help build a more connected.”