| I think about summer often, and maybe because of everything the season offers, maybe too much. And when I do, my mind drifts to family barbecues, enjoying ice cream along a boardwalk, neighborhood parties, and picnics. I can even taste the season’s flavors:juicy peaches,grilled burgers,saladsbrimming with tomatoes and cucumbers, sweet corn on the cob… and more ice cream!
Now that we’re deep into the season, I’m realizing how important food is to my summertime activities and its role in bringing friends and family together. The food we share satisfies our hunger and feeds our need for social interaction and belonging, strengthening our relationships and communities.
As we move into the last full month of summer, I find myself thinking about how we can leverage our love of food to enhance its impact on our taste buds and our connections with family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. |
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A barbecue gathering
We’ve all been to backyard barbecues where the cook is working the grill wearing a giant smile and a personalized apron, while everyone else enjoys the warm evening, acold beverage, good conversation, and whiffs ofsizzling steaksandsmoky ribs. Conversation during the cruditès inevitably turns to shared anticipation for the main course.
The McCanns are very into having summertime family gatherings and they all have an additional ritual around the food: Everyone plays a part in the preparation of the meal. The adults are given jobs like preparing appetizers and making desserts, while the grandkids are assigned duties like putting out condiments, hot dog and hamburger buns, napkins, and whatever other accoutrements we’ll need.
Nobody leaves our house without feeling like they contributed to the success of the evening. These moments of collaboration and laughter are what make our gatherings special, and they give us even more to talk about next time.
After all, the act of preparing and enjoying a cookout is more than just cooking; it's about strengthening bonds over the food we eat. It's these simple pleasures – good food, great company, and the beauty of a summer night – that make barbecues at our home orbeach picnicsso memorable. |
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The power of a potluck
Another quintessential summer food ritual is the potluck. These gatherings democratize the culinary experience, inviting everyone to participate and contribute. Each dish brought to a potluck symbolizes an individual's heritage and tastes.\u202f
As we sample each other's creations, we engage in conversations, learn about different cultures and cooking techniques, and build bonds. Potlucks epitomize the spirit of sharing and collective enjoyment, reinforcing the idea that food is a universal language that unites us all.
Potlucks are not limited to summer. They’re held at many events throughout the year, including at churches after services, community centers, schools, and in offices. In fact, several of our offices now hold monthly salad bar potlucks. It’s a great way to enjoy the food that everyone contributes and reinforces the sense of community among our team members while also eating a healthy meal.
If you’re thinking about hosting a summer potluck picnic, or have been invited to one,check out these very shareable recipesfrom Harry & David for inspiration. You’ll find ideas for everything from sweet-and-spicy mango pasta salad to a very seasonal stone fruit charcuterie board. |
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Breaking the ice while breaking bread
If you find yourself at a gathering this summer with strangers with nothing to say, just look to what you’re eating for conversation starters.
At farmers markets, for example, you can exchange cooking tips, recommend favorite vendors, or ask about unfamiliar ingredients. The excitement of discovering a new type of cheese or a unique heirloom tomato can lead to discussions about culinary techniques and food origins.
At a barbecue, the grill naturally draws people in to discuss what's cooking, share favorite recipes, or reminisce about past gatherings. The aroma of sizzling burgers and hot dogs invites questions and comments, making it easy for guests to strike up conversations with those they might not know well.
Summer meals also encourage storytelling, with each dish having its own backstory. Someone might share how a recipe has been passed down through generations, while another might recount a memorable meal they had while traveling.
Food is a universal language throughout the year. But in the relaxed atmosphere of summer, it becomes even more powerful in sparking a hunger for conversations and strengthening relationships.
All the best,
Jim |
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How can focusing on food systems improve the health and wellness of the next generation?
On this week'sCelebrations Chatter, I had the pleasure of sitting down with John Rivers, founder of4 Rivers Smokehouseand4Roots Farm. John's journey from healthcare executive to restaurateur and philanthropist is truly inspiring. His faith-driven mission to combat food insecurity, improve health outcomes through diet, and educate the next generation about where their food comes from is making a real difference.
What struck me most was how John has combined business acumen with a genuine desire to help others. His story is a powerful reminder that with perseverance and the right mindset, we can create successful enterprises that also have a positive impact on our communities.
Please watch the episode and let me know your thoughts atchatter@celebrations.com. |
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Harry & David’s peach harvest
Over the past few weeks, there’s been a flurry of activity in the orchards around Harry & David’s headquarters in Medford, Oregon. It’s not yet time for the pear harvest (that’s late summer); instead, midsummer marks the season for one of my favorite fruits:Oregold® Peaches.
As Harry & David celebratesits 90th anniversarythis year, I had the opportunity to speak with Orchard Production Manager Edgar Guitron-Roche about what it takes to grow perfect peaches – and pears – year after year.
What does Edgar want you, our customers, to know? “Every moment that we work here, we are thinking about them,” he told me. “I want to do the best job on the tree to produce the best-quality fruit for them.”
Watch my entire conversation with Edgarhere. |
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Celebrating our family ties
National Sisters Dayis celebrated annually on the first Sunday of August (Aug. 4 this year). It’s dedicated to honoring the relationships we have with our sisters, and I cherish the bond I have with mine, Julie and Peggy, in more ways than I can count.
The day gives us the opportunity to show our appreciation for the love, support, and joy that sisters bring into our lives, whether they are biological, adopted, or friends who feel like sisters. Sisters often play crucial roles as confidants, partners in crime, and lifelong friends, offering companionship and advice throughout different stages of life.
And next Sunday (Aug. 11) is Sons and Daughters Day. It’s a special occasion dedicated to appreciating the bond between parents and their children. It is a day to reflect on the joys and challenges of raising sons and daughters – and celebrating the role that children play in their parents’ lives – and to recognize the importance of nurturing strong family connections. |
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Your favorite back-to-school movie
August and September mark the end of summer and the start of the school year for millions of schoolchildren and their parents. Year after year, this transition is marked by countless rituals and traditions, from buying clothes and school supplies to watching movies that capture the excitement, anxiety, and humor of going back to school.
I have a very easy homework assignment for you. Whileback-to-schoolcan sometimes seem laborious, I wanted to liven it up just a bit by soliciting your favorite movie about school. If you have a favorite, send it along and let me know why. I will feature some of the films in an upcomingCelebrations Pulse.
Also be sure to share any rituals and traditions your family has during back-to-school season. Who knows? They might make for a great movie! |
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Worth Beyond Wealth
In 1976, I opened my first flower shop, Flora Plenty, on Manhattan's East Side. This small business quickly became a community hub where people came not just for flowers but also to catch up on neighborhood news, seek relationship advice, and learn something new.
Flora Plenty evolved into 1-800-Flowers.com, expanding to include brands like Harry & David, Personalization Mall, and Shari’s Berries, to name a few. Each acquisition shared a goal: Enhance happiness and longevity by helping people build and strengthen their relationships.
About eight years ago, we launched a family office to seek out new investments. We quickly sought outWorthmagazine, which was founded by Fidelity Investments for affluent investors, as well as Techonomy and CDX, both of which focused on holding events.
Paul Stamoulis, who quarterbacked this effort, saw an opportunity to pull them all together under the Worth Media Group name. His idea was to convene interesting people around interesting subjects and expand the scope of Worth to include topics outside its original finance silo.
The concept of “Worth Beyond Wealth” was born and resonated deeply with us. It aligns perfectly with the goals of anyone looking to improve their lives and businesses by enhancing their relationships and pursuing lifelong learning.
I’m amazed at how so many of our interests cross over between the 1-800-Flowers.com andWorthcommunities. If you’d like to see it for yourself, please consider subscribing toWorthfor a year (four issues) at a special 50% discount forCelebrations Pulsereaders. To claim this offer, click “Apply Promo Code” in the link below and enter “MCCANN.” |
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| | Written by our Founder and CEO, our Celebrations Pulse Sunday Letters aim to engage with our community. From sharing stories to welcoming your ideas, we want to help you to express, connect, and celebrate the important people in your life. |
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