To involve strangers in a meal train?

[ChockaChick]

Just moved house and just had a baby…. We’ve briefly met the neighbours on either side and they seem perfectly pleasant. HV has suggested starting a meal train in the road. Yet I really don’t think I’d feel comfortable asking strangers to cook for us. Surely that’s something you organise amongst friends and family, not new neighbours you’ve not met yet? I’d think it a bit cheeky tbh if I got a demand for food from some unknown newbie. AIBU?

We've also been organizing meals when a neighbor has covid. We text someone in the household and leave the food on the doorstep.

Agree with the other Brits in the US. I'm in the Midwest and it's pretty standard. A lovely way to take care of people who need some support - births, deaths, illnesses, etc. I've lost count of how many I've contributed to.

It is almost always suggested by other people though - not the recipients themselves!

@AnnaBellaCruella

Oh dear, American culture really does make me cringe

oh dear, UK comprehension skills make me cringe.

Are you really not taught how to read and comprehend in school?

@SenecaFallsRedux

It appears that once again, British import of an American custom takes an odd turn. Please note that in the US, a mom-to-be does not organize her own baby shower. Similarly, a new mom does not organize a "meal train." A shower is hosted by friends and providing meals is also organized by friends. I have participated in "meal trains" usually with my grandmother's lemon pound cake recipe.

We also organize meals for family when someone dies, too, especially in the South.

This is what I understood it to be in the US, and it's a thoughtful, kind idea. I don't think it translated here- the "other people organising" bit in particular seems to have got lost in translation and I just think it would cause a lot of angst and annoyance to the British mindset- we're more hands-off.

Just do what everyone else does. Buy and freeze ready meals, cook extra portions of meals you’re eating now and freeze. Get takeaways. Give responsibility of the cooking and shopping to DH for a while. Simple.